India’s Supreme Court has ruled that authorities cannot demolish homes just because someone has been accused of a crime.
This decision follows complaints about the government using bulldozers to punish people by tearing down their properties without legal reasons.
The court strongly criticized this practice, saying it was a sign of lawlessness where power was used instead of justice.
The ruling came after several instances, particularly in states run by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), where demolitions were used against people accused of crimes, especially after protests or violence.
These demolitions were often justified as being due to illegal construction, but many experts say this reason is not valid. While Hindu families have also been affected, most of the demolished properties belonged to Muslims.
The court emphasized that demolitions cannot happen without proper notice and a fair chance for the person affected to challenge it.
Authorities must give a 15-day notice explaining why demolition is necessary. If the person does not respond, the demolition can proceed, but the process must be filmed to ensure fairness. The court warned that ignoring these rules could lead to contempt of court.
Human rights groups like Amnesty International welcomed the ruling, saying it was a victory against unfair demolitions, especially those that had targeted the Muslim community.
The ruling marks a step towards protecting people’s rights, but the real challenge will be in making sure the government follows these new guidelines.
BBC reports that this decision is seen as a significant move to stop what critics have called “bulldozer justice.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0k8d3ynvzxo