The Supreme Court of India has strongly criticized the Uttar Pradesh government and Prayagraj administration for conducting bulldozer demolitions, calling the drive “unconstitutional” and “inhuman.”
A bench of Justice AS Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan expressed shock over the demolitions, emphasizing the right to shelter and the importance of due process of law. The court ordered Rs 10 lakh compensation for the affected homeowners who approached the judiciary for relief.
The apex court had earlier pulled up the state government for demolishing homes without following legal procedures.
The petitioners, including Advocate Zulfiqar Haider and Professor Ali Ahmed, along with three others, lost their homes overnight after being given demolition notices just a night before the bulldozers arrived.
The lawyer representing the petitioners argued that authorities had mistakenly identified the land on which these houses were built as belonging to gangster Atiq Ahmed, who was murdered in 2023.
Supreme Court Criticizes Faulty Notice Delivery
The court also questioned the manner in which demolition notices were served. The state’s counsel claimed the notices were affixed to the properties, but the court insisted that notices should have been sent via registered post.
“This affixing business must be stopped. They have lost their houses because of this… And fix compensation of Rs 10 lakh in each case. That is the only way to do this. So that this authority will always remember to follow due process,” Justice Oka remarked sternly.
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In its order, the Supreme Court noted that the affected homeowners were not given a fair opportunity to respond to the notice.
The bench further emphasized that the right to shelter is an integral part of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty.
“Carrying out demolition in such a manner shows insensitivity on the part of the statutory development authority,” the court stated.
Court Reacts to Viral Video of Uttar Pradesh Demolition
The court also referenced a viral video from Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, where a young girl was seen clutching her books tightly as her home was razed by a bulldozer.
“Everyone is upset about such scenes,” Justice Bhuyan remarked, underscoring the emotional and social impact of the reckless demolitions.
This ruling serves as a landmark judgment against illegal demolitions and reinforces the constitutional mandate of due process. The Supreme Court’s decision sets a strong precedent for safeguarding housing rights, ensuring that government authorities adhere to the law before taking drastic actions.
With this verdict, the Uttar Pradesh government faces fresh scrutiny over its use of bulldozers for law enforcement, highlighting the need for strict accountability in administrative actions.
