The Supreme Court of India has criticized the Uttar Pradesh government for carrying out unconstitutional demolition drives in Prayagraj, ordering ₹10 lakh compensation for affected homeowners. The Bench of Justice AS Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan condemned the state’s actions, questioning why notices were not properly served before demolitions.
The petitioners argued that their properties were wrongly linked to gangster Atiq Ahmed. The court expressed deep concern over demolitions being conducted just a day after notices were issued, violating due process. The Bench also cited a viral video of a girl holding her books while a bulldozer razed homes, highlighting the inhumanity of such actions.
The Supreme Court warned authorities to be more cautious in handling illegal construction cases, emphasizing the need for proper notice and response time. The court is considering ordering the reconstruction of demolished homes, pending the case’s final verdict.
