New Delhi, September 12, 2024: The Supreme Court of India issued a strong rebuke against the practice of “bulldozer justice,” comparing it to “bulldozing the laws of the country.” The Court’s harsh criticism came during a hearing on Thursday, where it stressed that demolishing properties based on alleged involvement in criminal activity undermines the rule of law.
A bench led by Justices Hrishikesh Roy, Sudhanshu Dhulia, and S V Bhatti emphasized that the legal process must be followed before any punitive action, such as the demolition of property, can be taken. The Court stated that allegations alone are insufficient to justify demolishing someone’s property, and the actions of one family member should not lead to penalties for the entire household.
The case before the Court involved a plea against the Gujarat government, where a municipality threatened to demolish a house following criminal charges against one of its residents. The bench highlighted that any such move would be akin to “running a bulldozer over the laws of the land” and that demolitions should only occur after a proper legal process.
The Court further noted that India is governed by the rule of law, and state actions must respect due legal procedures. The Supreme Court maintained the status quo on the property in question and hinted at issuing national guidelines to prevent similar instances of unlawful property demolitions in the future.
This decision aligns with the Court’s broader efforts to protect citizens’ rights against arbitrary actions and reinforces the principle that legal processes must be respected, even in cases involving criminal allegations.
