Bulldozer justice is lawless; executive has no power to deliver punishment: SC

The Supreme Court has reiterated its opposition to the controversial practice of demolishing homes as a punitive measure against individuals accused or convicted of crimes, reinforcing its stance that such actions undermine legal principles.

In a recent hearing, a bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan emphasized that these demolitions, often termed “bulldozer justice,” project an image of lawlessness and breach the constitutionally mandated separation of powers, where the judiciary, not the executive, is responsible for delivering justice.

The ongoing case, which involves petitions from Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind and others, calls for judicial intervention to prevent the destruction of properties linked to individuals facing legal proceedings.

The Supreme Court criticized this approach as a form of “collective punishment,” affecting entire families rather than solely the accused, and noted that officials responsible for such actions should be held accountable.

Earlier this month, the court issued a notable judgment on a similar issue, directing the Uttar Pradesh government to compensate senior journalist Manoj Tibrewal with Rs 25 lakh after his ancestral property was unlawfully demolished for road widening. The ruling, authored by Justice Gavai, underscored that a home is fundamental to individual dignity and a cherished aspiration for all.

The court’s firm stance sends a clear message against the misuse of executive power in demolitions tied to criminal accusations, with the judiciary reaffirming that punishment must adhere to lawful procedures.