The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the concerned authorities over the bulldozer action in Sonapur, Assam, and sought a reply within three weeks. The court also ordered a status quo in the matter. A bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Vishwanathan passed the order on a contempt petition filed by 48 residents.
The petitioners alleged that officials did not comply with a previous Supreme Court order. They argued that residents were not served notices or given a chance to be heard, which they claimed violates Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Constitution.
Supreme Court Questions Bulldozer Action
The court had previously banned bulldozer actions across India in response to a petition filed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind on September 17. During the hearing, the court criticized the glorification of bulldozer actions, suggesting the need for guidelines. However, the ban does not apply to illegal encroachments on public infrastructure, such as roads and footpaths.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta objected to claims that the bulldozer actions targeted a specific community, citing examples from Madhya Pradesh where 70 shops were demolished, 50 of which belonged to Hindus.
Bulldozer Action Tied to Encroachments
The court stressed that homes should not be demolished merely based on accusations. Mehta agreed, adding that even if a person is proven guilty, their house should not be demolished. He clarified that the actions were taken due to illegal encroachment or construction, not due to allegations of crime. Mehta stated that the authorities followed municipal laws and issued notices before any demolition.
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