The Supreme Court of India has issued a strong condemnation of the practice known as ‘bulldozer justice,’ raising serious concerns about the demolition of homes solely because their occupants have been accused or convicted of crimes. The court emphasized the need for nationwide guidelines to be established before any such demolitions can proceed.
This intervention came in response to the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the central government, who argued that demolitions are only carried out when legal violations have occurred. Mehta stated that the actions taken are solely in response to breaches of municipal laws. However, the Supreme Court firmly rejected this reasoning, stating that even in cases of conviction, demolitions cannot be carried out without adhering to established legal procedures.
A bench consisting of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan, presiding over the case, stressed that nobody should exploit loopholes in the legal system. Justice Viswanathan emphasized this point by drawing an analogy: “A father may have a recalcitrant son, but if the house is demolished on this ground… this is not the way to go about it.”
While the Supreme Court made it clear that it will not protect unauthorized constructions, the bench proposed establishing nationwide guidelines to address the concerns raised about the use of ‘bulldozer justice.’ The court aimed to ensure that such actions are conducted fairly and transparently, preventing the misuse of demolition as a form of punishment or intimidation.
The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing of the case for September 17, during which further deliberations on the establishment of these guidelines are expected to take place.
