Top court’s verdict on bulldozer justice today

The Supreme Court will on Wednesday pronounce its verdict on petitions challenging the demolition of alleged unauthorised constructions belonging to members of a particular community in BJP-ruled states as a punitive measure.

The verdict will be pronounced by a Bench led by Justice BR Gavai at 10.30 am. The other member of the Bench is Justice KV Viswanathan.

While reserving verdict on the issue, the Bench had on October 1 said it would lay down pan-India guidelines for all citizens and that it would not protect any unauthorised construction on roads, government land or forest.

“Whatever we are laying down, we are a secular country. We are laying it down for all citizens, for all institutions not for any particular community,” it had said, reserving its order on petitions against demolition of properties, including of those belonging to persons accused of crime. “We are going to make it clear that merely because somebody is an accused, or even somebody is a convict, can’t be a ground for demolition,” it had said, adding, “Even if it’s not authorised...it’s not a happy sight to see women and children on the road. Elders coming out on roads...suppose, they want to make alternative arrangements.”

The Bench, however, made it amply clear that it would not protect any unauthorised construction on roads, government land or forest and unauthorised construction made by any person, irrespective of his/her religion or belief, has to be removed.

“We will take care to ensure that our order does not help the encroachers on any of the public places,” the Bench said.