Supreme Court bans bulldozer justice for two weeks

NEW DELHI: In a significant move, India's Supreme Court has temporarily halted all bulldozer demolition actions across the country, except those with prior court permission, until October 1. This decision comes after the court expressed concerns over the "glorification" and "grandstanding" surrounding bulldozer actions ¹[4).

A bench headed by Justice B.R. Gavai emphasized that unauthorized structures may be demolished following due procedure, but property cannot be demolished for "extraneous reasons." The court clarified that its order doesn't protect unauthorized constructions on public roads, streets, or other public spaces

Posting the batch of petitions alleging demolitions carried out without notice for the next hearing on October 1, it said that it would lay down directives within the framework of municipal law guaranteeing legal remedies.

The apex court said that neither the unauthorised occupants nor the authorities should be allowed to take any advantage of ‘lacunas’ in municipal laws.