38.6c New Delhi, India, Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Top Stories Supreme Court
Political NEWS Legislative Corner Celebstreet International Videos
Subscribe Contact Us
close
Judiciary

SC prohibits use of Bulldozer against accused without its permission [Read Order]

By Jhanak Sharma      18 September, 2024 12:00 PM      0 Comments
SC prohibits use of Bulldozer against accused without its permission

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued an order barring the use of bulldozer by States for demolition of a property of an accused in a criminal case, without permission of this court, saying such action was against the ethos of the Constitution.

The court, however, clarified this order won't apply if there is any unauthorised construction on public road, footpaths, railway lines, water bodies, etc.

A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Vishwanathan objected to statements made after its September 2 order indicating framing of guidelines on the use of bulldozer.

The bench pointed out after the order, there have been statements that bulldozer will continue.

"After September 2 order, there has been grand standing and justification. Should this happen in our country? Should Election Commission be noticed? We will formulate directives," the bench said.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta objected to such directions, saying the hands of statutory authorities can't be tied like this.

"Heavens would not fall in 15 days," the bench said.

To this, Mehta said, "Heavens never fall".

"Let us clarify ours will be directives. They are being called guidelines. Till next date, there should be stay on demolition without leave of court," the bench said.

"We made it clear we won't come between unauthorised construction. But the executive can't be a judge," the bench said.

The court said it would issue directives in line with the Vishakha guidelines with regard to sexual harrasment at workplaces, invoking its power under Article 142 of the Constitution to do complete justice.

Senior advocate C U Singh, appearing for the petitioner Jamiat Ulama I Hind contended demolitions were taking place every day. He said despite indications on the last date, after some alleged incident happened of stone pelting, same night demolition happened.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union government, said notices were served in 2022 and thereafter actions were taken.

"Let the state government be informed. Why hurriedly demolish in 2024? When notices were issued in 2022," the bench asked.

Mehta said a narrative was being built that all such actions were illegal and demolitions are in case of particular religion. He said the affected parties have not approached the court as they knew their constructions were illegal.

The bench, however, said the noise and narrative outside was not influencing it.

"We won't get into question of which community faced such action at this point. Even if there is one instance of illegal demolition, it is against ethos of Constitution," the bench said.

Also Read : SC to lay down guidelines on 'Bulldozer justice'

"Our only object is to streamline demolition actions," the bench said.

Singh contended demolitions were happening daily, the court should consider the matter on a short date.

Mehta said in case of Madhya Pradesh, 70 shops were demolished after following the procedure.

Of those, more than 50 belonged to Hindus. What are they saying "mohalla" etc, it is about narrative building, he claimed.

The court ordered to post the matter on October 1.

"Till next date, there shall be no demolitions unless the statutorily permitted. Stay your hands off. What will happen in 15 days," the bench said.

The bench again emphasised there has to be judicial oversight in such matters.

Mehta sought to emphasise the magnitude of the order. This court prevented officials across country, from exercising statutory rights, he said.

The Supreme Court had on September 2 said it would lay down pan India guidelines to deal with a controversial issue of "Bulldozer justice" resorted to by some state governments to demolish the house or shop of a person immediately after he or she is accused of an offence.

On September 12, a separate bench led by Justice Hrishikesh Roy made strong observations against "bulldozer justice", saying in a country where actions of the State are governed by the rule of law, the transgression by a family member cannot lead to demolition of their legally constructed house or it would be equivalent to running bulldozer over the laws.
 

[Read Order]



Share this article:

About:

Jhanak is a lawyer by profession and legal journalist by passion. She graduated at the top of her cl...Read more

Follow:
FacebookTwitterLinkedinInstagram


Leave a feedback about this
Related Posts
View All

Another CBI Officer Investigating Rakesh Asthana Moves SC Against Transfer, Makes Startling Revelations Another CBI Officer Investigating Rakesh Asthana Moves SC Against Transfer, Makes Startling Revelations

After A.K. Bassi, another CBI officer who was investigating corruption allegations against Special Director Rakesh Asthana moved the Supreme Court.

Ayodhya verdict: SC rules in favour of Ram Lalla, Sunni Waqf Board gets alternate land Ayodhya verdict: SC rules in favour of Ram Lalla, Sunni Waqf Board gets alternate land

SC bench led by CJI Ranjan Gogoi has allotted the dispute site to Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, while directing the government to allot an alternate 5 acre land within Ayodhya to Sunni Waqf Board to build a mosque.

Supreme Court: Money Spent On Judiciary Less Than 1% In All States Except Delhi Supreme Court: Money Spent On Judiciary Less Than 1% In All States Except Delhi

The court guided all states to document their response to the commission's report within four weeks. If any of the states fail to file a response, it will be presumed that they have no objections to the recommendations made by the commission, the court said.

Supreme Court Top Panel Names Chief Justices for Bombay, Orissa and Meghalaya High Courts Supreme Court Top Panel Names Chief Justices for Bombay, Orissa and Meghalaya High Courts

On April 18, 2020, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended new Chief Justices for three High Courts. Justice Dipankar Datta was proposed as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, succeeding Justice B.P. Dharmadhikari. Justice Biswanath Somadder was nominated as Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, while Justice Mohammad Rafiq was recommended for transfer as Chief Justice of Orissa High Court.

TRENDING NEWS

sc-sets-up-sit-on-allegations-against-anant-ambani-vantara
Trending CelebStreet
SC sets up SIT on allegations against Anant Ambani's Vantara [Read Order]

SC forms SIT led by ex-judge J Chelameswar to probe allegations of illegal animal acquisition, mistreatment & financial irregularities at Anant Ambani’s Vantara.

26 August, 2025 01:57 PM
sc-deplores-high-courts-for-delaying-judgments-over-a-year
Trending Judiciary
SC Deplores High Courts for Delaying Judgments Over a Year [Read Judgment]

SC slams delay: Supreme Court deplores HCs for not delivering judgments for over a year after reserving cases, eroding faith in justice.

26 August, 2025 05:17 PM

TOP STORIES

setback-for-wb-govt-sc-dismisses-review-petition-in-teachers-recruitment-scam-case
Trending Judiciary
'Setback for WB govt,' SC dismisses review petition in teachers’ recruitment scam case [Read Order]

SC dismisses WB govt’s review plea in teachers’ recruitment scam; upholds invalidation of 25,753 tainted appointments to protect selection purity.

21 August, 2025 02:09 PM
sc-dismisses-plea-against-suspension-of-toll-collection-due-to-poor-road-upkeep-long-traffic-jam
Trending Judiciary
SC dismisses plea against suspension of toll collection due to poor road upkeep, long traffic jam [Read Order]

SC upholds Kerala HC order halting toll at Paliyekkara over poor highway upkeep, traffic jams, citing citizens’ plight, fuel wastage & environment.

21 August, 2025 02:47 PM
caste-abuse-at-home-doesnt-attract-scst-act-applicable-only-in-public-view-telangana-hc
Trending Judiciary
Caste Abuse at Home Doesn’t Attract SC/ST Act, Applicable Only in ‘Public View’: Telangana HC [Read Order]

Telangana HC quashes SC/ST Act case in marital dispute, ruling caste abuse at home doesn’t qualify—Act applies only in ‘public view’.

21 August, 2025 02:55 PM
sc-raises-alimony-from-rs-15-lakh-to-rs-50-lakh-for-m-tech-wife-as-doctor-husband-got-capacity-to-pay
Trending Judiciary
SC raises alimony from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 50 lakh for M Tech wife as doctor husband got capacity to pay [Read Judgment]

SC enhances alimony to ₹50 lakh for M Tech wife, stressing balance between doctor husband’s capacity to pay and wife’s needs.

21 August, 2025 03:32 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email