Supreme Court verdict on ‘bulldozer justice’ sparks political reactions nationwide

New Delhi: The Supreme Court’s Thursday verdict on the controversial ‘bulldozer justice’ has generated strong reactions from political leaders across the country, with some welcoming the decision and others expressing their concerns.

Maharashtra’s Leader of Opposition in the Assembly and Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar welcomed the judgment. Speaking to ANI he said, “This verdict is a slap on those who talk about ‘Batenge to Katenge’. This politics was started in Uttar Pradesh. The actions were taken against a particular community and the poor…We welcome the decision of the Supreme Court.”

Meanwhile, in Madhya Pradesh, BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla reacted cautiously to the verdict. He said, “…Any direction of the Supreme Court is a kind of an order. If a comment has been made on any specific action, then it would be appropriate to speak about it only after knowing.”

Mohan Prakash, AICC in-charge of Bihar Congress, also voiced his opinion. “This is the intention and policy of this government. The bulldozer is used on encroachments but if someone’s name appears in an FIR and you run a bulldozer on him, then this is outright misuse…Today, whatever the Supreme Court has said, I am afraid that the government will not accept this also”, he added.

In Uttar Pradesh, Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) responded to the verdict, and said, “The whole country welcomes the decision of the Supreme Court, the government welcomes it, the opposition also welcomes it. The government does not intend to demolish anyone’s house. If a criminal has acquired illegal property and built a house on government land, then the land is vacated. The government never demolishes a house built on anyone’s private land…”
Earlier in the day, the top court laid down strict guidelines to curb ‘bulldozer justice’. The court stated that the executive cannot unilaterally declare a person guilty or decide to demolish their property without due process.

The ruling directed that no demolition should take place without a 15-day notice to the property owner, which must be served by registered post and also fixed on the property. The notice should specify the nature of the unauthorized construction, the specific violation, and the reasons for demolition. The court also mandated that demolitions must be recorded on video. Failure to follow these guidelines could result in contempt of court charges.

The judgment underlined the importance of protecting individual rights and ensuring that property is not taken away arbitrarily. The court also reaffirmed the separation of powers, making it clear that the executive cannot replace the judiciary in determining guilt or carrying out demolitions.

The verdict follows petitions challenging the practice of bulldozer demolitions, which critics argue disproportionately affect marginalised and minority communities. The Supreme Court’s order intends to ensure that demolitions are carried out legally and not as extra-legal punishment.