Assam Govt faces contempt plea for defying Supreme Court's demolition order
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The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Assam government regarding a contempt plea filed by residents accusing the state of violating a prior court order related to demolitions.
The residents, hailing from Kachutoli Pathar and nearby areas in the Sonapur mouza of Kamrup Metro district, allege that the state carried out demolitions in defiance of the court’s September 17 interim order.
A bench consisting of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan responded to the plea by directing the Assam government to maintain the status quo on demolitions across the state. The court emphasized that no further demolitions should take place unless explicitly permitted by the court.
The issue arose following an interim order from the Supreme Court, which mandated a nationwide pause on demolitions unless court approval was obtained. The order was aimed at ensuring that properties of individuals accused of crimes were not demolished without proper judicial oversight.
However, exceptions to this ruling were made for unauthorised structures located on public spaces such as roads, streets, footpaths, railway lines, or near water bodies. Additionally, structures subject to a court-ordered demolition were exempted from the pause.
The contempt plea was filed by 47 residents who argued that their homes were demolished despite the Supreme Court's direction to halt such actions. The court’s notice to the Assam government is the latest development in this ongoing legal dispute.
The Supreme Court is expected to continue its review of the situation, with the current order to maintain the status quo remaining in effect until further proceedings are conducted.