The Supreme Court on Monday took serious note of the ‘bulldozer raj’ in several states and said it should be streamlined and guidelines should be framed at the national level for such demolitions. The apex court however clarified that it will not protect unauthorised constructions.
Hearing a bunch of pleas challenging the demolition of the accused’s houses in several states, the Supreme Court observed a house cannot be demolished just because someone is accused, or even a convict. Hearing the pleas, a bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan expressed concern over the practice of demolishing houses as a punishment.
"How can a house be demolished just because he is accused? It can't be demolished even if he's a convict,” the bench observed, Live Law reported. "A father may have a recalcitrant son, but if the house is demolished on this ground...this is not the way to go about it,” the Court said.
The bench observed such actions have to be streamlined and guidelines should be framed at the national level for conducting demolition exercises. The Court directed a senior advocate to collate suggestions and submit it to court.
However, Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General of India, appearing for the State of Uttar Pradesh said demolitions in the state were done as per Municipal laws.
