'Whether it is temple or dargah…': Supreme Court on bulldozer action
Hindustan TimesThe Supreme Court, in a landmark decision, emphasized that public safety takes precedence over religious structures encroaching on roads, water bodies, or rail tracks. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, clarified that being accused in a criminal case does not justify bulldozer action, even for severe crimes like rape or terrorism. While hearing a batch of pleas against bulldozer actions in various states, the Supreme Court on September 17 passed an interim order that no demolition of properties should take place in the country without its permission. Court On Bulldozer Justice The court had ordered states to stop bulldozer demolition across India until October 1 without its permission, and unless the demolitions are on public roads, water bodies, railway lines.