New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday, 22 October 2024 said it is the state government’s choice if it wants to jeopardize the top court directions over the contentious “bulldozer justice” system and issued a veiled warning to the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government against any bulldozer action.
The SC was entertaining a petition challenging the 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 is before a bench comprising justices BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan which has requested the Uttar Pradesh government not to take any more action before the next date of hearing tomorrow, October 23.
Senior Advocate CU Singh, appearing for the petitioners, told the bench that local authorities issued demolition notices after the violence that took place on October 13 where one person was killed, and sought the respondent’s response within three days.
“Applicant No 1’s father and brothers surrendered; notices purportedly issued on 17 October, but passed on 18 evening. We sought a hearing on Sunday, but that did not happen. Some have approached HC,” said Singh.
Meanwhile, Allahabad High Court had earlier allowed an extension of 15 days to the three-day deadline for filing replies on the demolition notices and directed the state authorities to decide after considering the responses.
Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, who appeared for the Uttar Pradesh government, assured that no action would be taken until tomorrow, Wednesday, October 23.
“If they want to take the risk of violating our order, it is their choice,” Justice Gavai said on Tuesday, while Justice Viswanathan said the high court had given 15 days to file replies to the demolition notices. Advocate Singh, however said that the petitioners have not been granted any protection.