In a significant development related to the communal violence that erupted in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, on October 13th, the Supreme Court has intervened to prevent the state government from taking any immediate action on demolition notices issued against properties allegedly linked to individuals involved in the unrest. The apex court, in a hearing on Tuesday, ordered the Uttar Pradesh government to refrain from any demolition actions until Wednesday. This follows a plea filed by three individuals challenging the demolition notices, which they claim were issued without due process.
The Supreme Court’s intervention came after senior advocate C U Singh, representing the petitioners, argued that the state government had only provided three days for the individuals to respond to the demolition notices. He highlighted that the notices were reportedly issued on October 17th and pasted on the evening of the 18th, while the father and brothers of one of the petitioners had already surrendered. The bench, comprising Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan, expressed concern over the short timeframe given for response.
While the Uttar Pradesh government, represented by Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj, maintained that the Allahabad High Court was already seized of the matter and had given 15 days for responding to the notices, the Supreme Court remained unconvinced. The bench, in a pointed remark, stated that if the UP government chose to disregard its order, it would be at their own risk.
The court’s decision to halt demolition action until Wednesday reflects the growing concern over the use of demolition as a punitive measure in cases of communal violence. The petitioners had argued that no protection was granted by the high court, leading to the Supreme Court’s intervention to ensure their rights are protected.
It’s worth noting that this is not an isolated incident. In the aftermath of the Bahraich violence, the Uttar Pradesh government has taken a strong stance against those accused of involvement. Earlier this week, UP Police filed another FIR related to the communal violence in Mahrajganj, naming seven individuals, including a BJP youth wing office-bearer, on charges of rioting. This brings the total number of FIRs registered in connection with the Mahrajganj violence to 12. The unrest in both Bahraich and Mahrajganj was triggered by incidents of violence related to religious processions. The Supreme Court’s intervention now adds a new layer of complexity to the already tense situation, raising important questions about the balance between law enforcement and the protection of individual rights.