New Delhi, Sep 2: In a significant judicial intervention, the Supreme Court of India on Monday criticised the practice of demolishing properties as a form of punitive action against individuals accused of crimes. The court underscored that demolitions cannot be justified merely based on accusations. Even convicted individuals must have their properties protected from arbitrary destruction, it said.
The court, led by Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan, addressed multiple pleas challenging demolition actions frequently undertaken by authorities targeting the homes of those involved in serious criminal cases. It asserted that demolitions should follow legal procedures and cannot occur without adherence to established legal processes.
Justice Viswanathan highlighted the injustice of demolishing a property simply because its owner is accused of a crime, drawing an analogy that even if a person is convicted, demolishing their house is not an appropriate course of action. The court clarified that only illegal structures that obstruct public roads can be subject to demolition, that too with due procedure.
The Supreme Court plans to issue guidelines to standardise demolition procedures across the country. These guidelines will ensure that proper notice and time for legal recourse are provided before any demolition is carried out.
The case is set to be reviewed further on September 17, with the aim of establishing comprehensive guidelines to prevent misuse of demolition actions.
