‘Public safety paramount, temple, dargah on road must go’: Supreme Court

BULLDOZER JUSTICE - Public safety is paramount and any religious structure encroaching upon a road, water bodies, or rail tracks must go, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday.

- MPOST BUREAU

The Apex Court stressed that India is a secular country and its directions for bulldozer action and anti-encroachment drives will be for all citizens, irrespective of their religion.

The bench, comprising Justice B R Gavai and Justice K V Viswanathan, was hearing petitions challenging the practice of using bulldozers to demolish properties, a practice commonly referred to as "bulldozer justice." This controversial trend, prevalent in states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, has drawn criticism for allegedly targeting individuals accused of crimes. The authorities in these states have maintained that only illegal structures are subject to demolition.

The Apex Court reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas which have alleged that properties, including of those accused of crime, were being demolished in several states.

During the proceedings, the court underlined that India's secular nature demands uniform treatment of all citizens. "We are a secular country," the bench noted. "Whatever we are laying down applies to all citizens and institutions, irrespective of religion," it said.