Supreme Court Criticizes “Bulldozer Justice” in India

The Supreme Court of India has condemned the practice of “bulldozer justice,” asserting that properties cannot be demolished solely based on accusations against their owners, Muslim Mirror reported yesterday.

During a hearing on petitions challenging such demolitions, Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan raised concerns about the legality of these actions. Justice Viswanathan emphasized that demolitions are only lawful if the structures are illegal, stating, “Even if he is a convict, it can’t be done without following the procedure as prescribed by law.”

The court plans to establish pan-India guidelines to prevent arbitrary demolitions, advocating for a procedural approach that includes notice, response time, and legal remedies before any demolition. This ruling comes amid rising instances of state governments demolishing properties linked to individuals accused of serious crimes, particularly in cases of communal violence. The next hearing is set for September 17, where the court will further outline measures to curb the misuse of demolition as a punitive measure.