India
‘Will stop governments from punishing Muslims’: Owaisi on SC order on ‘bulldozer justice’ | India News – Times of India
Owaisi said in a post on
“The Supreme Court’s bulldozer judgment is a welcome relief. The most important part of it is not in the eloquence, but in the enforceable guidelines. Hopefully, they will prevent state governments from collectively punishing Muslims and other marginalized groups. We must remember that none other than @narendramodi celebrated the bulldozer raj, which SC today called ‘a lawless state of affairs’,” Owaisi added.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also said, “Now their bulldozer will remain parked in the garage, now no one’s house will be demolished.”
Addressing a public meeting in Sismau, Akhilesh said, “The Supreme Court has commented on the bulldozer becoming the symbol of this (BJP) government. I thank the Supreme Court for this decision against the government… What can you expect from those who know how to demolish houses? At least today their bulldozer remains parked in the garage, now no one’s house is being demolished… What could be a bigger statement against the government than this? We have full confidence on the court day our MLAs will be released and will come among us and will work as they used to do.
The Supreme Court, in its ruling on Wednesday, laid down strict guidelines to curb the practice of bulldozer justice, in which government officials destroy property without due process. The court emphasized that the executive cannot take on the role of judge by finding individuals guilty and demolishing their properties without following legal procedures. The ruling also stated that officials who act in a “proper manner” would face consequences.
The court expressed concern about the impact on families, especially women and children, whose homes were demolished without proper legal procedures. “It is not a pleasant sight to see women and children on the streets at night,” the bench noted.
The ruling stipulates that residents of illegal structures must give a mandatory 15-day notice before they are demolished. If residents do not contest the notice, the state can go ahead with the demolition, but the entire process must be filmed for transparency.
Furthermore, the court stated that any property demolished without due legal process would entitle the affected family to compensation. The bench, headed by Justices BR Gavai and KV Vishwanathan, emphasized that the rule of law ensures that individuals’ properties are not arbitrarily taken away.
“The executive branch cannot find someone guilty. If he destroys his house based solely on accusations, it would violate the basic principle of the rule of law,” the court said.
The ruling follows the court’s interim order of October 1, which banned demolition work without permission, although the order did not apply to unauthorized construction on roads or footpaths.
The court further clarified that its guidelines on demolition would apply equally to all religious groups, thereby strengthening India’s secular identity. It specifically addressed concerns that bulldozing disproportionately affects minority and marginalized communities.
