UP demolitions: Follow due legal process, says SC

New Delhi, June 16

Stating that “everything should be fair” and the authorities should strictly follow the due procedure under the law, the Supreme Court today gave the Uttar Pradesh Government and its authorities three days to respond to the pleas that alleged that the houses of those accused in last week’s violence were illegally demolished.

There must be a sense among the citizens that the rule of law prevails in the country, a Vacation Bench of Justices AS Bopanna and Vikram Nath said and urged the authorities to ensure nothing untoward happened until it heard the matter on June 21.

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The Bench added, “How do we ensure their safety in the meantime? We have a duty towards them. We should ensure their safety in the meantime. Let us be clear, they (accused) are also part of society. Ultimately, when someone has some grievances, they should get a chance to address them. If this court does not come to their rescue, that would not be appropriate. Everything should look fair.”

The Bench clarified it cannot stay demolitions, but can only say that such action should be strictly under the due process of law. The top court was hearing pleas filed by the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, seeking directions to UP to ensure that no further demolitions of properties of accused in the recent violence were carried out.