• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Thu, 12 Sep 2024 10:50 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Bulldozer Justice: The Supreme Court on Thursday said that alleged involvement in a crime is no ground to demolish properties. The observation on the so-called bulldozer justice, which has garnered more praise than criticism over the years after becoming somewhat of a norm in dealing with high-profile criminal cases in certain BJP-ruled states, reportedly came as the apex court heard a petition seeking protection from the proposed demolition of an accused person's house in Gujarat's Kheda district.

"In a country where actions of the State are governed by the rule of law, the transgression by a family member cannot invite action against other members of the family or their legally-constructed residence. Alleged involvement in crime is no ground for the demolition of a property," a division bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy, Sudhanshu Dhulia and SVN Bhatti was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

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"Moreover, the alleged crime has to be proved through due legal process in a court of law. The court cannot be oblivious to such demolition threats inconceivable in a nation where law is supreme. Otherwise, such actions may be seen as running a bulldozer over the laws of the land," it added. While issuing notice to the Gujarat government and the civic body of Kheda's Kathlal, the top court ordered that the status quo of the petitioner's property be maintained until the response is filed.

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The petitioner has submitted that an FIR was registered against a member of his family on September 1 and claimed that the municipal authorities have threatened to demolish his family house, PTI said in it report. The remark made by the SC in this case comes in the light of a nationwide debate over the top court's earlier observation on "bulldozer justice" made a few days ago. On September 2, the apex court had said it would issue guidelines against the demolition of properties of individuals accused of committing criminal offences.

(With inputs from agencies)