The Supreme Court, however, clarified that it will not protect any illegal structure obstructing public roads.
The Supreme Court on Monday made critical observations against the so-called bulldozer justice, saying properties can’t be demolished just because they belong to a person accused of a crime. The court observed that the property can’t even be demolished if the person had been convicted.
Hearing a batch of pleas against bulldozer/demolition action often undertaken by authorities against the houses of those accused of serious crimes, the court said the property can’t be demolished even if the person is convicted.
The Supreme Court, however, clarified it will not protect any illegal structure obstructing public roads.
The Supreme Court asked the authorities how anybody’s house could be demolished only because he is an accused. The court said that it proposes to lay down guidelines on the issue.
“Even if he is a convict, still it can’t be done without following the procedure as prescribed by law,” a bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan said on pleas against demolition action.
“We propose to lay down certain guidelines on a pan-India basis so that the concerns about the issues raised are taken care of,” the bench added.
It posted the matter for hearing on September 17.
