In a landmark ruling on Wednesday, the Supreme Court of India declared it unlawful to demolish buildings or homes solely because they are owned or occupied by individuals accused of crimes.
NEW DELHI: In a landmark ruling on Wednesday, the Supreme Court of India declared it unlawful to demolish buildings or homes solely because they are owned or occupied by individuals accused of crimes. A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan delivered the verdict, invoking Article 142 of the Indian Constitution to enforce justice in such matters.
The court’s ruling emphasized that demolitions targeting accused individuals must follow a legal process that respects the rights of the affected parties. It highlighted that demolitions should not be conducted arbitrarily, as they can cause undue hardship to vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly. The court stated, “It is distressing to see families forced onto the streets overnight. Authorities can afford a temporary delay.”
Key Directives for Demolition Protocol:
These directives are set to be implemented across all states and Union Territories in India, to curb the misuse of demolition authority. This ruling follows petitions that criticized the actions of state governments, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, where authorities had demolished properties of individuals suspected of criminal activity without due process.