India’s Supreme Court Criticizes “Bulldozer Justice,” Sets Guidelines on Property Demolitions

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In a significant ruling, India’s Supreme Court issued a strong rebuke to states using “bulldozer justice”—the practice of demolishing properties of alleged criminals without due process. The court emphasized that demolitions must adhere strictly to legal procedures, a response to concerns that the practice unfairly targets Muslim minorities.

The Supreme Court’s judgment on Wednesday came after a series of petitions filed following demolitions in states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These demolitions, carried out under the pretext of targeting illegal structures, have become common in recent years and are widely criticized by human rights organizations as discriminatory.

Rights groups and opposition parties argue that the policy primarily affects economically disadvantaged Muslims, bypassing the judicial process. However, BJP officials assert that only illegally constructed properties are targeted, with notices served to property owners in advance.

The court’s ruling outlined clear guidelines for authorities, requiring prior notice before demolitions and mandating the video recording of the process. The two-judge bench emphasized, “It is not a happy sight to see women, children, and elderly individuals forced into the streets overnight.”

This practice of “bulldozer politics” gained prominence in 2017 when Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, adopted it as a strategy for maintaining law and order. Observers note that similar demolition campaigns have since expanded across the country, often following religious unrest.

There has been no immediate response from BJP officials regarding the court’s ruling, which many see as a crucial intervention aimed at preventing arbitrary demolitions and protecting the rights of minority communities in India.