NEW DELHI: India’s Supreme Court on Wednesday strongly condemned the practice of demolishing properties belonging to suspected criminals, a practise critics say targets mostly Muslims.
The court issued new guidelines to ensure authorities follow due legal processes, BBC News reported.
The ruling came in response to several petitions challenging the demolitions carried out in states governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Over the past few years, BJP-led state governments have destroyed what they describe as illegal properties—often homes or shops of individuals accused of crimes, many of whom are Muslim. This practice has been widely referred to as “instant, bulldozer justice”, BBC News reported.
Human rights groups and opposition parties have criticised the practice, claiming it is used as a tool to target poor Muslim communities, bypassing the judicial system, Reuters reported.
In its judgment, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled that states and officials cannot take arbitrary actions against suspects or convicts without adhering to due process.
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The court also issued specific guidelines, including the requirement to issue prior notice and document demolitions through video recording.
“It is not a happy sight to see women, children and aged persons dragged to the streets overnight. Heavens would not fall on the authorities if they hold their hands for some period,” the court said.
