The Supreme Court has recently acknowledged the Uttar Pradesh government’s approach to the controversial ‘bulldozer action’, where properties of individuals accused of crimes were demolished. According to a report by Dainik Jagran on Tuesday, the apex court praised the affidavit submitted by the Yogi Adityanath-led government which stated that these actions were conducted strictly following legal protocols.
The affidavit, presented by the Special Secretary of the Home Department, clarified that no property was destroyed without adhering to the due legal process. This response comes amid numerous petitions filed in the Supreme Court, challenging the increasing frequency of such actions by the state government, which involved bulldozing houses, shops, and commercial properties of the accused.
Previously, the Supreme Court had expressed significant concerns regarding the ethical and legal ramifications of demolishing properties of accused individuals without a conviction. The court emphasized that demolishing an accused’s home, even post-conviction, is not justifiable under the law.
In response to these issues, a bench led by Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan suggested that it would establish pan-India guidelines to regulate government actions concerning the demolition of immovable properties. The court also invited suggestions from relevant parties to aid in crafting these guidelines.
While the Supreme Court has taken a firm stance against illegal structures that obstruct public thoroughfares, it also stressed that all demolitions must comply with existing legal standards. The justices affirmed their commitment to addressing these concerns thoroughly, ensuring that future demolitions are conducted lawfully.
