Today, On 1st April, The Supreme Court bench, led by Justice AS Oka and Justice Bhuyan, condemned the Uttar Pradesh government for demolishing the homes of a lawyer, a professor, and others without following proper legal procedures. The bench cited a distressing video of a girl fleeing with books, highlighting the widespread disturbance caused by the demolitions. They emphasized the failure to adhere to the law in such actions, criticizing the lack of due process. The court’s remarks the importance of safeguarding citizens’ rights against arbitrary actions.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court addressed the viral video of a girl clutching her books and fleeing as a bulldozer demolished shanties during a hearing today.
The bench criticized the Uttar Pradesh government and the Prayagraj administration for a demolition drive conducted in 2020.
Condemning the authorities for their actions, which were described as “inhuman”, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan remarked,
“There is a viral video where a small girl can be seen outside a demolished house. Everyone is very disturbed by such visuals,”
The court ordered a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to each homeowner who approached it.
Justice AS Oka and Justice Bhuyan criticized the Uttar Pradesh government for demolishing the residences of a lawyer, a professor, and others without proper procedures. Advocate Zulfiqar Haider, Professor Ali Ahmed, and three others informed the court that they received notices only one night prior to the bulldozer action.
The petitioners’ lawyer explained that the authorities mistakenly identified the land on which their homes stood as belonging to gangster Atiq Ahmed, who was murdered in 2023.
The court also criticized the manner in which demolition notices were issued. The State counsel claimed the notices were affixed at the properties, but the court questioned why they were not sent via registered post.
The court stated in its order,
“These cases shock our conscience. Residential premises of the appellants have been high handedly demolished in matter which we have discussed in detail,”
The viral video referenced by the court originates from Ambedkar Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh, where the girl was seen escaping from her shanty while holding her books tightly.
The video gained significant attention, with opposition leaders criticizing the Yogi Adityanath government for its demolition actions. Akhilesh Yadav, Lok Sabha MP and leader of the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, condemned the state government in light of the viral video.
He stated,
“In Ambedkar Nagar, a government official is demolishing people’s homes to assert his authority, forcing a young girl to run to save her books. These are the same BJP leaders who say Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao,”
Also Read: Supreme Court Slams Uttar Pradesh Government Over “High-Handed” Demolitions in Prayagraj
The Uttar Pradesh Congress also shared the video on X, attacking the Yogi Adityanath government, it said,
“From the shanty being razed by the bulldozer, a little girl saved her most precious possession — books! This video is a disgrace to those in power who snatch books from children’s hands and the roof over their heads,”
In defense of the demolition drive, Ambedkar Nagar Police stated that multiple notices had been issued to residents.
They explained,
“This action was taken to remove encroachment from the village land, following an ejection order (case number T202404040205504) passed by the Jalalpur tehsildar’s court. Multiple notices were issued before clearing the non-residential structures. The demolition was carried out in full compliance with the revenue court’s order to reclaim government land,”
Case Title: Zulfiquar Haider & Anr. vs State of Uttar Pradesh & Ors
Petition for Special Leave to Appeal (C) No. 6466/2021
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