Supreme Court Declares “Bulldozer Justice” Unacceptable in Law-Abiding Society
Image Source: India Today
The Supreme Court ruled that demolitions must be preceded by thorough surveys, official written notices, and the review of any objections.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court introduced its first guidelines to prevent arbitrary demolitions by state authorities, emphasizing that citizens cannot be silenced through threats of property destruction. The court firmly stated that “bulldozer justice” has no role in a society governed by the rule of law, asserting that demolition as a form of retribution undermines the principles of justice. In a detailed order, a bench led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud highlighted the risk of selective reprisals if authorities act without lawful oversight, noting that such measures are incompatible with a civilized legal system.
The court’s order, released on Saturday ahead of Justice Chandrachud’s retirement, mandates that all states and Union territories follow strict safeguards prior to demolition, including comprehensive surveys, official notices, and reviews of any objections. Non-compliance by officials will result in disciplinary and criminal consequences. Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra also emphasized that unchecked state actions would reduce the constitutional right to property under Article 300A to insignificance. The court outlined six essential procedures before any demolition, including verifying land records, conducting surveys to identify actual encroachments, issuing notices, considering objections with detailed responses, allowing reasonable time for voluntary removal, and acquiring any additional land through legal processes.
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