Supreme Court against Bulldozer Justice

In recent notorious cases, the homes of accused or convicts are torn apart and demolished as a means of ensuring “justice” by the state. When notified of this practice, the Supreme Court called acts of Bulldozer Justice unfair and not permissible by the law.

What is Bulldozer Justice?

Bulldozer Justice refers to the act of demolishment of houses and other properties when one is found to be in a tussle with the government. This is done mostly before the case is declared closed by the judiciary. This means that there is no announcement of sorts before such an act takes place, the family residing in the house has to evacuate immediately and look for alternative means of tenancy. 

This practice seems to be gaining popularity in Uttar Pradesh under CM Adityanath Yogi’s rule. Many claim that this is a targeted attempt at inciting islamophobia since they feel that muslims are unfairly targeted in this act. In 2017, CM Yogi openly declared that his government would run bulldozers over the properties of those who have been found guilty in crimes against women and other minorities. While such criminals do deserve retribution for the harm they have caused, bulldozing their house is definitely not the way to go about. If the son in the family is a nuisance, that does not mean that the entire family should be punished and should be stripped off their property for his actions. While this act of bulldozing over one’s property was popularised by Yogi, it is now not just limited to Uttar Pradesh. The practice has spread to neighbouring areas in Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

What the Supreme Court has to say on the matter

The Supreme Court has finally broken their silence on this issue and declared their firm stand on the same. On Monday, 2nd of September, the Supreme Court heard multiple petitions about cases of the state running bulldozers over its citizen’s property. Judges B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan staunchly opposed such an act and declared such actions to be against the spirit of the Indian law. They argued that the property can only be demolished if it is built illegally, in which case, too, a proper procedure must follow. They argued that demolishing the accused’s house unfairly punishes their family too. This is against the Indian law and action must be taken against the instigators of such acts.

The judges proposed setting up a set of guidelines in cases of bulldozing that would apply throughout India. The court will hear the matter again on the 17th of September and invited suggestions to help deal with this problem.