Pune: Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan strongly condemned the practice of bulldozer demolitions, equating it to bulldozing the Constitution. Speaking at the 13th Justice PN Bhagwati International Moot Court Competition on Human Rights at Bharati Vidyapeeth New Law College in Pune, he warned that such actions threaten the rule of law, reported the Bar and Bench.
Justice Bhuyan expressed concern over state authorities demolishing properties of accused individuals under the pretext of legality. Calling the trend “disturbing and depressing,” he asserted, “Using a bulldozer to demolish a property is like running a bulldozer over the Constitution. It negates the rule of law and, if unchecked, could destroy the justice system.”
Highlighting the human impact of such demolitions, he asked, “If an accused or a convict’s house is demolished, where will his family go? What is their fault? Taking away their shelter is unjustified.”
Justice Bhuyan also emphasized the need for judicial introspection and reform. While acknowledging the Supreme Court’s authority, he stated, “We must reflect on whether we have gone wrong somewhere. Only then can course correction happen, and I strongly believe Indian judiciary has room for it.”
He further remarked that even Supreme Court judgments should be critically analyzed. “Had there been a higher court above the Supreme Court, many judgments might have needed a re-look,” he said, urging law students to develop a critical and questioning mindset.
