The Supreme Court issued a contempt notice to the Assam government on Monday after 47 residents filed a petition alleging violations of the court’s order prohibiting demolitions without prior approval.
A bench consisting of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan ordered the state to respond within three weeks and directed that the current situation be maintained until the next hearing.
In a hearing that took place earlier this month, the apex court said that no demolition exercise in the country should take place without its permission. Halting “bulldozer justice” till October 1, the court said that even if there is one instance of illegal demolition, it is against the ethos of the Constitution.
‘Demolition of properties’
The SC was hearing a batch of petitions alleging properties of those accused of crime were being demolished in several states. In the last hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had told the apex court that a “narrative” was being built over demolition of properties. “Rest assured that outside noise is not influencing us,” the bench told him.
Mehta further said the petitioners have claimed that the demolitions are being carried out in case of a particular religious community. He said in Madhya Pradesh, 70 shops were demolished after following procedure.
“More than 50 belonged to Hindus. What are they saying ‘mohalla’ etc… is narrative building!” he had said. “Outside noise is not influencing us. We won’t get into question of… which community …at this point…” Justice Viswanathan had said.
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