No demolition without permission, SC of India halts bulldozer action

In a significant decision, the Supreme Court of India on Tuesday, September 17, ordered the halt of all demolitions across the country unless prior permission is obtained from the court.

The Court clarified that this order won’t be applicable to encroachments on public roads, footpaths, railway lines, waterbodies.

The next hearing is scheduled to take place on October 1.

While



passing the order, the bench Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan observed, “Even if there is one instance of an illegal demolition… it is against the ethos of our Constitution.”

When the Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta objected to the apex court’s order stating it would tie the hands of the statutory authorities, the Supreme Court remarked that “heavens won’t fall” if the demolitions are stopped for a week.