Supreme Court To Hear Petition Against Bahraich Bulldozer Action

The Supreme Court may soon hear a petition challenging the proposed demolition actions in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh. Filed by three victims, the petition seeks to halt the bulldozer operations initiated by local authorities.

The petition specifically demands the cancellation of notices issued by the Public Works Department (PWD) of Uttar Pradesh. It references statements from the local MLA, indicating that following a recent incident in Bahraich, the administration has placed demolition notices on the illegally constructed property of the primary accused, Abdul Hameed.

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Meanwhile, the Allahabad High Court has stayed a related petition filed by an NGO for 15 days. The PWD had previously issued notices to 23 individuals, requiring them to respond within three days. On Saturday, these notices were affixed to the properties of the accused, including Hameed, after being deemed illegal.

The Association for Protection of Rights has filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court seeking to annul these notices. The PWD claims that the constructions are illegal, and many of the property owners are also implicated in the recent violence.

The unrest in Bahraich began on October 13, when 22-year-old Ram Gopal Mishra was shot during a communal clash sparked by music played during a procession. Following this incident, the PWD issued demolition notices to 23 properties in the area, 20 of which are owned by Muslims. These actions were taken under the Road Control Act of 1964.