2 days, 9 hours ago

Rebuild houses arbitrarily razed in Uttar Pradesh, suggests SC

The Supreme Court on Monday proposed an unprecedented recourse against arbitrary demolitions by permitting the reconstruction of houses in Prayagraj that were razed by Uttar Pradesh authorities reportedly without due process in March 2021 after the state wrongly linked the land to slain gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed. The Supreme Court held that the petitioners -- advocate Zulfiqar Haider, professor Ali Ahmed, two widows, and another individual -- would be allowed to rebuild their demolished houses at their own cost, with conditions. “It shocks the conscience of the court the manner in which, within 24 hours of the notice, it was done,” remarked the bench, noting the fundamental principle that “State must act very fairly; State must give reasonable time to enable them to file an appeal before the structures are demolished.” The Supreme Court held that the petitioners -- advocate Zulfiqar Haider, professor Ali Ahmed, two widows, and another individual -- would be allowed to rebuild their demolished houses at their own cost, with conditions. The Supreme Court in November 2024 laid down nationwide guidelines to curb arbitrary demolitions by state authorities, marking a significant moment in the battle against what has come to be known as “bulldozer justice” — the practice of razing the properties of people accused of crimes, and, sometimes, of their families, often using earthmovers or bulldozers, without following due process.

Court Uttar Pradesh Due Process Process State Bench Served Petitioners Demolition Notices suggests arbitrarily process bench notice houses supreme razed rebuild pradesh demolition notices served petitioners state uttar court sc

History of this topic

Supreme Court raps UP govt over demolition of houses in Prayagraj: ‘Shocks our conscience’

Trending News

2 days, 12 hours ago

Supreme Court raps UP govt over demolition of houses in Prayagraj: ‘Shocks our conscience’

Hindustan Times

The Supreme Court on Monday criticised the Uttar Pradesh government over the demolition of houses in Prayagraj, saying it had shocked its conscience. The top court was hearing a plea by advocate Zulfiqar Haider, Professor Ali Ahmed, and others whose houses were demolished in 2021. During Monday's hearing, the top court said that it would allow the petitioners to reconstruct …

2 days, 16 hours ago

Shocks our conscience how homes rased in Prayagraj: SC

Hindustan Times

New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Monday slammed the Uttar Pradesh government over its "high handed" demolition in Prayagraj saying it had shocked its conscience. Shocks our conscience how homes rased in Prayagraj: SC A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan also frowned upon the manner which the houses were bulldozed within 24 hours of serving notices …

Supreme Court Issues Notice To Maharashtra Officer In Contempt Plea Against House Demolition Over 'Anti-India' Slogans After Indo-Pak Match

Trending News

2 days, 18 hours ago

Supreme Court Issues Notice To Maharashtra Officer In Contempt Plea Against House Demolition Over 'Anti-India' Slogans After Indo-Pak Match

Live Law

The Supreme Court today issued notice on a contempt petition alleging the demolition of a Muslim man's house and shop in Maharashtra without prior notice, in violation of the Court's November 13 judgment in the bulldozer matter. Immediately after the incident, it is mentioned, that the petitioner's house and shop were demolished by civic authorities without any prior notice on …

2 days, 20 hours ago

'Shocking That Houses Were Demolished Within 24 Hrs Of Notice' : Supreme Court Raps UP Govt; Says It Will Allow Reconstruction

Live Law

In a notable development, the Supreme Court on Monday stated that it would allow the reconstruction of the houses of a lawyer, a professor, and three others in Prayagraj, which were demolished by the Uttar Pradesh authorities without following due process of law. A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan expressed shock at the manner in …

2 days, 22 hours ago

’Issue notice’: Supreme Court seeks Maharashtra’s response on contempt plea over property demolition

Live Mint

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered a response from the Maharashtra authorities regarding a petition that sought the initiation of contempt proceedings over the demolition of a house and shop in Sindhudurg district, allegedly due to an anti-India slogan raised during a cricket match. As reported by PTI, the petitioner has asserted that the demolition was carried out by the …

2 weeks, 6 days ago

Will SC Ask UP Govt To Rebuild Bulldozed Houses? Here Is What It Said On Bulldozer Action

ABP News

The Supreme Court has strongly criticised the Uttar Pradesh government over a 2021 bulldozer action in Prayagraj, suggesting that the demolished houses could be rebuilt at the state’s expense. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and N Kotiswar Singh questioned the legality of the demolitions, stating that the houses were brought down in a hasty manner without giving residents …

3 weeks ago

'Will Order Reconstruction At Your Cost' : Supreme Court Criticises UP Govt For Demolishing Houses Of Lawyer, Professor & 3 Others

Live Law

The Supreme Court on Wednesday criticized the Uttar Pradesh government for demolishing the houses of a lawyer, a professor, and three others in Prayagraj. A bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice N Kotiswar Singh expressed strong disapproval, stating that such actions send a “shocking and wrong signal.” Justice Oka added, “there is something called as Article 21.” Justice …

3 weeks, 2 days ago

'Approach HC': Supreme Court Refuses To Entertain Contempt Petition Alleging Illegal Demolition Of Accused Persons' Houses In Gujarat

Live Law

The Supreme Court today refused to entertain a petition assailing demolition action stated to have been carried out by Ahmedabad authorities against houses of persons accused of crimes in violation of the Court's November 13 judgment.A bench of Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih passed the order, asking the petitioner, who claimed that the authorities were guilty of contempt of …

1 month ago

Court slams 'build first, regularise later' approach, rejects plea over demolition

India Today

The Bombay High Court criticised the "widespread belief" that illegal constructions can be regularised after they are built, expressing concern over the proliferation of such structures. Rejecting a petition which sought to overturn the demolition of a property and demanded Rs 5 crore in compensation, the court asserted that if these petitions are entertained, "there would be utter lawlessness". Justices …

1 month, 1 week ago

Supreme Court Issues Notice To UP Authorities In Contempt Petition Over Part-Demolition Of Mosque; Stays Further Demolition

Live Law

The Supreme Court today issued notice on a contempt petition filed against Uttar Pradesh authorities for alleged violation of judgment dated November 13, 2024 restraining demolition actions across the country without prior notice and opportunity of hearing.A bench of Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih passed the order, stating,"It is submitted that the structure in question was constructed on. The …

1 month, 2 weeks ago

Sambhal property demolition: SC asks petitioner to approach jurisdictional HC

The Hindu

The Supreme Court on Friday asked a petitioner, who was seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against Sambhal authorities for allegedly violating its verdict on demolition of properties, to approach the jurisdictional High Court. "We find that the issue can be best addressed by the jurisdictional high court," the bench said, while granting liberty to the petitioner to approach the High …

GHMC Commissioner issues elaborate instructions to deal with unauthorised structures

Trending News

1 month, 3 weeks ago

GHMC Commissioner issues elaborate instructions to deal with unauthorised structures

The Hindu

A circular with detailed instructions has been issued by the Commissioner of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation K. Ilambarithi about the procedure to be adopted in case of unauthorised constructions and constructions made in deviation of the sanctioned plan. The circular came following the Supreme Court’s judgment in November, 2024, spelling out exhaustive guidelines to be followed by States and Union …

1 month, 3 weeks ago

Uttar Pradesh roles out new rules for demolishing unauthorised constructions

Hindustan Times

The state of Uttar Pradesh has formulated a set of procedures for all agencies concerned to follow before taking up the demolition of unauthorised constructions in their respective areas. Uttar Pradesh roles out new rules for demolishing unauthorised constructions The latest directions were issued by the state urban development department to all local bodies on January 27 for compliance, and …

2 months ago

Contempt Petition Filed In Supreme Court Against Demolition Of Property At Sambhal, UP

Live Law

A contempt petition has been filed before the Supreme Court against Uttar Pradesh authorities for alleged violation of order dated November 13, 2024 restraining demolition actions across the country without prior notice and opportunity of hearing. The petitioner claims that a part of his property, situated at Sambhal, was demolished by authorities between January 10 and 11, 2025 without any …

3 months, 1 week ago

Telangana HC orders officials to rebuild demolished house of poor couple

New Indian Express

HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court has directed Panchayat Raj officials of Nagar Kurnool district to rebuild a demolished structure belonging to a poor couple, Katakam Mahesh and Nagalakshmi of Domalapenta village, at their own expense. Justice T Madhavi Devi took serious view of the officials for disregarding stay orders issued by the court. Justice Madhavi Devi questioned whether the same …

4 months, 1 week ago

Supreme Court Orders 15-Day Notice, Digital Trail for Property Demolitions; Officials Face Personal Liability

The Hindu

Published : Nov 16, 2024 12:06 IST - 8 MINS READ In PIL hearings alleging discrimination and the government’s impunity, it is not unusual for the respondent authorities to claim they will adopt a non-adversarial role vis-a-vis the petitioner, and still deny the allegations. In such cases, where the authorities indulge into arbitrary pick and choose of the structures and …

4 months, 1 week ago

Razing impunity: On bulldozer demolitions and the Supreme Court

The Hindu

Demolition of property as a punitive measure against alleged offenders amounts to wilful subversion of the rule of law. The Supreme Court of India has now ventured to put an end to this culture of impunity by laying down enforceable guidelines and directions to prevent demolition of homes and buildings without following due process. It also underpinned its order on …

Officers Carrying Out Illegal Demolitions Liable To Restore Properties At Personal Cost & Pay Damages: Supreme Court

Live Law

In the judgment containing directions against "bulldozer actions", the Supreme Court has warned that officials who carry out illegal demolitions in contravention of the judicial directions will be held liable to restore the properties at their personal cost in addition to pay damages. The officials should also be informed that if the demolition is found to be in violation of …

4 months, 1 week ago

Demolition of house merely on person's criminal record amounts to collective punishment on family: SC

Deccan Chronicle

New Delhi: The demolition of a house solely because the person residing there is either an accused or convicted in a criminal case will amount to inflicting "collective punishment" on the entire family, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday. The apex court said when a particular structure is chosen all of a sudden for demolition and the rest of similarly …

Supreme Court on bulldozer action: ‘No demolition without following guidelines, 15-day notice’

Trending News

4 months, 2 weeks ago

Supreme Court on bulldozer action: ‘No demolition without following guidelines, 15-day notice’

Hindustan Times

Bulldozer 'justice' hearing: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed that no demolition should be carried out without prior 15-day notice to the owner of the property and without following the statutory guidelines. The state cannot take arbitrary action against the accused or convict without following the due process of law,” the court said. The Supreme Court also extended an interim …

4 months, 2 weeks ago

SC lays down pan-India guidelines for demolition of properties, says Executive can't replace Judiciary

New Indian Express

Passing a slew of directions, the bench said, "No demolition should be carried out without a prior show cause notice returnable either in accordance with the time provided by the local municipal laws or within 15 days time from the date of service of such notice, whichever is later". The Executive can't replace the Judiciary in performing its core function, …

4 months, 2 weeks ago

Bahraich demolition notices: Don’t take any action that is against law, HC tells UP govt

Hindustan Times

LUCKNOW The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court on Wednesday, while hearing a plea challenging the proposed action to demolish properties belonging to the accused in the October 13 Bahraich violence case, orally asked the UP government not to take any action which is not lawful. Listing the case for November 11, the court sought reply from the state …

6 months ago

As much as 23 structures razed in U.P.'s Bahriach at High Court order

The Hindu

Bulldozers razed 23 structures in a village in Kaiserganj on Wednesday even as residents mounted a protest against the demolition ordered by the High Court. Kaiserganj Sub Divisional Magistrate Alok Prasad said the demolition took place in Wazirganj Bazar of Sarai Jagna gram panchayat under Kaiserganj tehsil. "There was a government barn and road on plot numbers 211, 212 and …

6 months, 1 week ago

No bulldozer demolitions without court nod till Oct 1, says SC

Hindustan Times

The Supreme Court on Tuesday imposed a nationwide restraint on demolition activities, ruling that no demolition, including of those accused or convicted of crime, should occur without the court’s explicit permission, expressing concern over the indiscriminate demolition actions and highlighting the need for judicial oversight. Even as the directive by a bench of justices Bhushan R Gavai and KV Viswanathan …

6 months, 1 week ago

SC to hear petitions challenging demolition of properties linked to crime accusations

New Indian Express

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court is set to hear on Tuesday, 17 September, a batch of petitions challenging the demolition of properties belonging to individuals accused of crimes. The petitions, filed by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and others, seek directions to various state governments, including Uttar Pradesh, to halt demolitions without following due legal process. The petitioners have claimed that numerous states …

6 months, 3 weeks ago

SC on Demolition Action: How can a house be demolished just because he is an accused

The Hindu

The Supreme Court on Monday questioned the bulldozing of homes and private properties of persons accused of crimes or even their relatives by States as a possible act of public retribution, saying the law does not permit the destruction of the family shelters of even convicts. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, for the Uttar Pradesh government which has been blamed for …

9 months, 1 week ago

Demolition drive: Delhi HC asks authorities to grant 1 month for vacating mosque premises

Deccan Chronicle

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has directed the DDA and a local religious body to grant one month's time to the caretaker of a mosque and madarsa to vacate the Hazrat Nizamuddin-based masjid premises which has been decided to be demolished by the authorities.A vacation bench of Justice Amit Sharma, in an order passed on Wednesday, made it clear …

10 months, 2 weeks ago

Supreme Court Upholds Lucknow-Akbarnagar Demolition Drive, Prevents Eviction Of Dwellers Before Giving Alternative Accommodation

Live Law

While upholding the demolition drive of the Lucknow Development Authority against unauthorized constructions in the Akbarnagar area of Lucknow city, the Supreme Court on Friday clarified that no slum dweller should be evicted without being given alternative accommodation.The Bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta upheld the Allahabad High Court's observations. While upholding the demolition drive of the Lucknow …

10 months, 2 weeks ago

Supreme Court upholds demolition of encroachments at Akbar Nagar in Lucknow

Op India

In a major order, the Supreme Court today upheld the Allahabad High Court’s Order to demolish illegal settlements in Akbar Nagar in Lucknow. “In view of the aforesaid, we are in agreement with the High Court that the colony has been constructed on a floodplain area,” the Supreme Court concluded, stating that the petitioners lack any legal title or document, …

1 year ago

Roof over head basic right: Supreme Court on demolition of encroachments

India Today

The Supreme Court on Thursday said that having a shelter is a basic right of an individual and that unauthorised colonies are bound to come up if there is a gap in government policies in providing affordable housing. The court's remark during the hearing of pleas challenging the Allahabad High Court’s order dismissing petitions against orders for demolishing of 24 …

1 year, 5 months ago

Agra Radhasoami Satsang Sabha Land Dispute | Allahabad High Court Extends Its Status Quo Order Till Oct 10

Live Law

The Allahabad High Court on Thursday extended its last week’s order till October 10 staying the demolition drive being carried out by Agra's local authority on a land claimed by Radhasoami Satsang Sabha, a religious and charitable society headquartered in the Dayalbagh area of the district. Adjourning the matter today, a bench of Justice Manish Kumar Nigam directed both the …

1 year, 7 months ago

Demolition drive: Haryana dismisses ‘ethnic cleansing’ charge

The Hindu

The Haryana government on Friday asserted in the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the demolition drive in Muslim-dominated areas of Nuh district was not a case of “ethnic cleansing” and that due procedure, according to the law, was followed. Earlier this week, the court had taken suo motu cognisance and halted the demolition drive in Nuh and Gurugram districts, …

1 year, 7 months ago

'No One Is Above Law To Direct For Demolition Of Accommodation Sans Due Process Of Law': Ut'khand HC Stays Razing Of IDPL Houses

Live Law

Stressing that the rule of law should prevail, the Uttarakhand High Court recently directed the State Government to stop the demolition of houses inside the IDPL Colony within its 899.53 Acres now-closed Rishikesh Plant. Observing that the Government should have initiated eviction proceedings under the Public Premises Act, 1971, the bench of Justice Pankaj Purohit reminded the state that "no …

1 year, 7 months ago

Did you issue notice before demolitions, Punjab and Haryana HC asks Haryana

The Hindu

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday took suo motu cognisance of the demolition drive in Haryana’s Nuh and Gurugram districts, asking the Haryana government whether any notice was issued before the exercise. The High Court said news reports showed that demolitions were being carried out in two districts — Nuh and Gurugram, and the action was stated to …

1 year, 7 months ago

60 more structures razed in Nuh, officials say notice issued to owners

The Hindu

At least 60 structures, including shops and food outlets, were demolished in Nalhar village in Haryana’s Nuh district on Saturday, as an “anti-encroachment drive” by multiple civic and government authorities continued for the third day, in the wake of July 31’s communal violence. “Various agencies have also found some of these owners to be involved in the violence during the …

1 year, 11 months ago

Demolition at madrasa: HC tells Centre not to take ‘precipitative’ action

Hindustan Times

The Delhi high court on Thursday asked the union government to not take any precipitative action against any of the 123 properties of the Delhi Waqf Board till Tuesday after the latter claimed that the boundary wall of Babar Road mosque was demolished by the authorities on April 11 despite the pending litigation in the court. In a fresh application …

2 years, 2 months ago

India’s Supreme Court blocks demolition of 4,000 Muslim homes calling it ‘human’ issue

The Independent

India’s Supreme Court has stayed an order which called for the mass demolition of over 4,000 homes in the hill state of Uttarakhand. The top court stayed an order by the local railway authorities, back by Uttarakhand state’s high court on 20 December, requiring the demolition of all “illegal encroachments” along the railway line in the Banbhulpura district of the …

2 years, 4 months ago

"Speaks Volume About The Administration": Allahabad HC Raps Authorities For Allegedly Demolishing Lawyer's House Sans Notice

Live Law

The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday took exception to the alleged act of authorities to demolish the house of a lawyer without issuing a notice to him. The Court also questioned the unnecessary and undue haste of the authorities in canceling the exchange order pertaining to the property passed in favor of the lawyer.Directing the parties to maintain the status. …

2 years, 6 months ago

Madhya Pradesh High Court Holds Proceeding Late At Night; Grants Interim Relief Against Demolition Of Alleged Illegal Construction

Live Law

The High Court of Madhya Pradesh, Indore Bench conducted a proceeding at 9:10 pm on Saturday to hear a matter related to an alleged encroachment. Observing that prima facie it appeared that the Petitioner was not duly served with a proper notice to remove her alleged encroachment, the Court granted interim relief against the its demolition. Accordingly, the bench comprising …

2 years, 6 months ago

Demolition Action Cannot Be Taken Against Allegedly Unauthorised Property Unless Owner/ Resident Is Given Adequate Opportunity Of Hearing: Delhi HC

Live Law

The Delhi High Court has observed that a property cannot be demolished on the ground that it is unauthorized, unless the owner or resident is given an adequate opportunity of hearing. "To my mind, there can be no question of demolishing any property on the ground that it is unauthorized, until and unless the person owning the property and/or in …

2 years, 7 months ago

Bombay High Court Directs Demolition Over 100-Year-Old Dilapidated Widows Hostel Building In Mumbai

Live Law

Bombay High Court has upheld the demolition order of an over 100-year-old dilapidated C-1 category building in Mumbai that was home to widows from the Parsi community. The court ruled that the seven tests to check the building's strength under BMC's 2018 guidelines were not mandatory for load bearing structures like the present one and the guidelines would apply only …

2 years, 8 months ago

Can't allow unauthorised buildings to take even one innocent life: Bombay HC

Firstpost

The bench asked Maharashtra government why a 1998 government resolution, which was still being implemented, restrained civic authorities from demolishing unauthorised structures during the monsoon season Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday said it will not allow unauthorised buildings to take the life of even one “innocent person”, while taking a serious note of the dangers posed by such …

$Can\'t impose ban on demolitions across states: SC$

2 years, 8 months ago

Can\'t impose ban on demolitions across states: SC

Deccan Chronicle

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to pass an interim direction staying the demolition of properties of accused involved in violent protests across various states. The top court was hearing pleas filed by Muslim body Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind seeking directions to the Uttar Pradesh government and other states to ensure that no further demolition of properties of alleged accused …

2 years, 9 months ago

Demolitions Not Punitive Actions Against Rioting But For Violations; Due Process Of Law Followed : UP Govt Tells Supreme Court

Live Law

The State of Uttar Pradesh has submitted before the Supreme Court that the recent demolitions carried out in Kanpur and Prayagraj were done by Local Development Authorities strictly in accordance with the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973. The State has however further submitted that in both cases, certain portions of the two illegal/ non-compliant structures in question …

2 years, 9 months ago

Demolitions should not be retaliatory: Supreme Court

The Hindu

The Supreme Court on Thursday told the Uttar Pradesh government that demolitions could happen only in accordance with the provisions of law and could not be retaliatory after hearing petitions that State authorities had taken the “appalling” step to wreak “vengeance” on the homes of people allegedly linked to violence in the aftermath of the Prophet remarks row. “Ultimately, the …

2 years, 9 months ago

SC on UP demolitions: Authorities should strictly follow due process under law

Deccan Chronicle

New Delhi: Stating that "everything should be fair" and authorities should strictly follow due procedure under the law, the Supreme Court on Thursday gave the Uttar Pradesh government and its authorities three days to respond to pleas alleging that houses of those accused in last week's violence were illegally demolished. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, …

2 years, 9 months ago

UP Demolitions Can't Take Place Without Notices: Supreme Court Asks State To Comply With Procedure & Laws

Live Law

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Uttar Pradesh government not to carry out demolition activities except in accordance with the procedure established by law. Advocate CU Singh, appearing for the Petitioner, submitted that taking advantage of the fact that status quo was not applicable to Uttar Pradesh, the state authorities proceeded to bulldoze the properties of persons allegedly involved …

2 years, 9 months ago

Khargone Demolition Drive: MP High Court Orders Status Quo On Partly Demolished Property Of Tent House Owner

Live Law

The Madhya Pradesh High Court, Indore Bench recently directed parties in a petition to maintain status quo regarding property of a resident of Khargone District whose property was partly demolished by the authorities, till the next date of hearing. The case of the Petitioner was that the State authorities had demolished a part of his property owing to a vendetta …

2 years, 9 months ago

Bulldozer on the loose: The Hindu Editorial on demolition of property of Muslim activists

The Hindu

The demolition of houses and buildings linked to protesters in Uttar Pradesh is nothing but retribution and collective punishment targeted at Muslims. The fig-leaf of legality attached to the claim that the action by the Prayagraj Development Authority was to clear an illegal building has been blown away by the fact that the notice of demolition was addressed to Mr. …

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1 day, 3 hours ago