SC’s veiled, but strict warning to Uttar Pradesh government over ‘bulldozer justice’ in Bahraich, says ‘if you want to…’

The SC was hearing a petition challenging the state government’s demolition notices served in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich following a communal clash. However, the court noted that its orders in the

Written by: Tahir Qureshi Edited by: Tahir Qureshi

Updated: October 22, 2024, 4:02 PM IST

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https://www.india.com/news/india/supreme-courts-veiled-strict-warning-uttar-pradesh-government-bulldozer-justice-bahraich-says-if-you-want-to-yogi-adityanath-7341757/ Copy

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday, 22 October 2024, in a veiled warning to the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government against any bulldozer action said that it is the state government’s choice if it wants to jeopardise the top court’s directions over the contentious “bulldozer justice” system.

The SC was hearing a petition challenging the state government’s demolition notices served in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich following a communal clash. However, the court noted that its orders in the bulldozer justice case specify that it will not intervene if the structures facing demolition are illegal.

The petition was being heard by a bench comprising justices BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan which has asked the Uttar Pradesh government not to take any action before the next hearing tomorrow, October 23.

Senior Advocate CU Singh, representing the petitioners, told the bench that local authorities issued demolition notices after the October 13 violence which claimed one life and asked them to respond within three days.

“Applicant No.1’s father and brothers surrendered; notices purportedly issued on 17 October, but pasted on 18 evening. We sought a hearing on Sunday, but that did not happen. Some have approached HC,” said Singh.

Meanwhile, the Allahabad High Court had earlier given an extension of 15 days to the 3-day deadline to file replies to the demolition notices and directed the state authorities to decide after considering the responses.

Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, assured the court that no action would be taken till tomorrow, Wednesday, October 23.

“If they (UP authorities) want to take the risk of flouting our order, it’s their choice,” Justice Gavai said on Tuesday while Justice Viswanathan said that the high court had given 15 days to file replies to the demolition notices. Advocate Singh, however, said the petitioners have not been granted any protection.