The Supreme Court of India issued a strong rebuke against the practice of demolishing properties belonging to individuals accused of crimes, a method commonly referred to as “bulldozer justice.” The court emphasized that properties cannot be demolished solely based on the accusations against the owner, even if the individual is convicted.
A bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan underscored that demolitions must adhere to legal procedures, and properties can only be torn down if they are proven to be illegal structures. Justice Viswanathan highlighted the injustice of penalizing a property owner for the actions of others, such as a family member.
The court announced its intention to set nationwide guidelines to address the concerns related to these demolition practices. The court also clarified that while it won’t protect illegal structures, demolitions must follow due process, including issuing notices and providing time for legal remedies before any action is taken.
This move by the Supreme Court comes in response to multiple pleas against the demolition actions carried out by various state governments over the past few years, often targeting those accused of serious crimes. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on September 17.