The Supreme Court has issued a statement on demolition of people’s houses without following the legal process in Prayagraj. , During the hearing on Wednesday, the court reprimanded the Uttar Pradesh government. The Supreme Court said that ‘such action is shocking and sets a wrong example’. During the hearing, a bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice N. Kotishwar Singh termed the move to demolish the house as atrocities. The court has also said that ‘the government will have to rebuild houses and give it back to the people.’
During the hearing, the court said, “Prima facie this action is shocking and gives wrong messages.” It needs to be fixed. Why are you taking such action by breaking homes? We know how to find solutions from such technical logic. After all, there is something like Article 21 and the right to asylum. The Supreme Court was hearing a petition filed by Zulfikar Haider, Professor Ali Ahmed, two widows and another person who has accused the government of illegally demolishing houses. According to the government, this land was of gangster-royal Atik Ahmed, who died in an attack in 2023.
What was the government’s argument?
Earlier, his petition was dismissed by the Allahabad High Court, after which he appealed to the Supreme Court. The petitioners said that we were given notice on Saturday night in March 2021 and the house was demolished on Sunday. The petitioners also said that the state should accept its mistake. Attorney General R.K. Venkatarmani said that people were given enough time to respond to the notice. However, Justice Oka disagreed with this. Justice Oka said, “Why was the notice pasted like this?” Why was it not sent by courier? Anyone will give such notice and vandalize. This is a bad example.
Request to refer to High Court rejected
Meanwhile, the Attorney General demanded that the case be transferred to the High Court. AG said, “I am not defending the demolition, but let the High Court consider it.” However, the court rejected this demand. The court said, ‘Not at all.’ We should not go to the High Court for a second time. Then the matter will be postponed.
Order of reconstruction
The court said that the demolished houses would have to be rebuilt. If you want to file an affidavit and want to object, then it is fine, otherwise another less shameful way would be to introduce and serve them and then send notice to them according to the law.
