Listen to the apex court, end demolition justice

The Supreme Court Monday again highlighted the importance of due process in the execution of orders regarding demolition of constructions that violate municipal building laws.

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The court expressed shock at authorities bulldozing houses in Prayagraj in March 2021 within 24 hours of notifying the occupants that their homes stood on land linked (erroneously) to gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed. Last November, the apex court, faced with an avalanche of complaints of state-directed demolitions, issued guidelines to municipal authorities. It held that arbitrary action in a case heard by a court subverted the latter's authority; the authorities were assuming an adjudicatory role to determine the guilt of an accused and even punish him. It held that the demolition orde