Supreme Court of India to Decide on Nationwide Demolition Guidelines
The Supreme Court of India is set to announce its decision on Wednesday regarding the establishment of nationwide guidelines for property demolitions. This decision will be delivered by Justices BR Gavai and KV Vishwanathan. Previously, on October 1, the court had reserved its order after extensive hearings and extended an interim order preventing demolitions without permission, except for unauthorized structures on public roads and footpaths.
The court emphasized that public safety is crucial, and any structure, regardless of religious significance, obstructing public pathways must be removed. The Supreme Court clarified that demolitions should not occur solely based on accusations or convictions, focusing instead on the misuse of municipal laws. Concerns were raised about selective enforcement against unauthorized structures, especially if linked to individuals with criminal backgrounds.
The court suggested the need for distinct laws for municipal corporations and nagar panchayats and proposed an online portal for public awareness. On September 17, the court had ordered a halt to demolitions without court permission until October 1, except for unauthorized constructions on public spaces.
The court was addressing petitions against the use of bulldozers for demolishing properties, highlighting concerns about illegal demolitions being used as extra-legal punishment, particularly affecting minorities and marginalized communities. The petitioners requested that demolitions adhere strictly to legal procedures and called for strict action against officials involved in illegal demolitions.
Doubts Revealed
Supreme Court of India -: The Supreme Court of India is the highest court in the country. It makes important decisions on legal issues that affect the whole nation.
Demolition Guidelines -: Demolition guidelines are rules about how and when buildings can be taken down. These rules help ensure that demolitions are done safely and legally.
Justices BR Gavai and KV Vishwanathan -: Justices BR Gavai and KV Vishwanathan are judges in the Supreme Court of India. They are responsible for making decisions on important legal cases.
Interim Order -: An interim order is a temporary decision made by a court. It is used to maintain the current situation until a final decision is made.
Unauthorized Structures -: Unauthorized structures are buildings or constructions that have been built without the necessary permissions. These are often illegal and can be subject to demolition.
Municipal Laws -: Municipal laws are rules made by local government bodies, like city councils. They cover things like building regulations and public safety.
Minorities -: In this context, minorities refer to smaller groups of people in a country who might have different ethnic, religious, or cultural backgrounds. The concern is that these groups might be unfairly affected by demolitions.