Supreme Court stays “Bulldozer Justice”, calls for judicial oversight

The Supreme Court has delivered a significant verdict on the demolition of houses, structures, and private properties linked to individuals suspected of criminal activities, often referred to as “bulldozer justice.” The Court has declared that any such demolition must first receive judicial approval, effectively halting such actions until October 1. The bench, led by Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, took a firm stand against the rising trend of states demolishing private properties under the guise of criminal crackdowns.

The Court strongly cautioned authorities, warning them against using these bulldozer actions as acts of ‘heroism’ to gain public approval or make political statements. While the order stops demolitions related to alleged criminal activities, the Court made it clear that it does not apply to unauthorized constructions on public property like streets or railway tracks, where demolitions can continue without judicial permission. In the hearing, the Uttar Pradesh government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, argued against halting demolitions, stating that it would delay the removal of encroachments.

However, the Court countered, stating that delaying these actions for a short period would not cause any irreparable damage. The Court further reiterated that demolitions targeting specific individuals must be judicially vetted to ensure fairness and legality. Petitions filed by advocates CU Singh and MR Shamshad, representing individuals affected by these demolitions, called for strict guidelines to prevent unlawful bulldozing of homes. They argued that demolitions were being used as punishment without proper trial or evidence.