‘Alleged involvement in crime not a reason to bulldoze property’

• The Supreme Court on Thursday (September 12, 2024) said the alleged involvement of a person in a crime was not a ground for the demolition of his or her property.

Highlights:

• On Thursday, September 12, 2024, the Supreme Court asserted that a person's alleged involvement in a crime is not a valid reason for demolishing their property.
• A Bench led by Justice Hrishikesh Roy emphasized that authorities must not bypass the rule of law when taking action.

"Bulldozer Justice" Criticized:

• The court expressed concern about the rising trend of demolishing properties without legal basis, stating that courts would not ignore such practices.
• The Bench, which also included Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and SVN Bhatti, warned that such actions could be seen as "running a bulldozer over the laws of the land."

Urgent Plea Against Demolition:

• The ruling followed an urgent plea from Javed Ali, whose family home in the Kathlal gram panchayat, Kheda district, Gujarat, was threatened with demolition after an FIR was filed against a family member.
• Senior advocate Iqbal Syed, representing Ali, argued that the house had been home to three generations for over two decades.

Protecting Private Property:

• The Supreme Court referred to its recent decision to frame a pan-India policy protecting private property from arbitrary demolitions by the government.
• Justice Roy’s Bench emphasized that, in a country governed by the rule of law, the actions of one family member should not lead to punitive measures against others or their legally constructed residence.

Order for Status Quo:

• The court directed the municipal authorities to maintain the status quo regarding the petitioner's property, ensuring no further action would be taken against the house.

Prelims Takeaways:

• The Supreme court