PIL on illegal demolition drive in Nuh referred to Punjab and Haryana HC Chief Justice
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Chandigarh: A Punjab and Haryana High Court bench presided over by Justice Arun Palli has recused itself from hearing a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning an alleged illegal demolition drive in Haryana's Nuh district.
The case has now been referred to the bench led by the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The controversy stems from the demolition of numerous houses and structures in Nuh district following recent violent incidents during a procession organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal.
Local residents have claimed that they were not provided with any prior notice by the authorities regarding the demolitions.
The court questioned the motives behind the Nuh demolition drive. They raised concerns over whether properties belonging to a specific community were being disproportionately targeted under the pretext of maintaining law and order.
The court also expressed apprehensions about the potential of the situation evolving into an "exercise of ethnic cleansing".
Furthermore, the Division Bench of Justices G S Sandhawalia and Harpreet Kaur Jeewan drew attention to reports indicating that proper demolition orders and notices were not issued before the demolitions took place.
The court strongly asserted that any further demolitions must strictly adhere to legal procedures and should be halted if due process is not followed.
As the matter now awaits the Chief Justice's bench to weigh in on these grave allegations, it underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the rights of all citizens, irrespective of their background.