Supreme Court to Lay Down Pan-India Guidelines on Property Demolitions

The Supreme Court announced plans to issue guidelines governing the demolition of properties across India. The directives will clarify that being accused or convicted of a crime does not justify property demolition. The guidelines are intended for all citizens and institutions to ensure fairness, irrespective of religion.

The Supreme Court announced on Tuesday that it will establish guidelines addressing the issue of property demolitions across India, reserving its verdict on related pleas. The court specified that merely being accused or convicted of a crime should not justify the demolition of an individual's property.

A bench comprised of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan emphasized that these guidelines are meant for all citizens and institutions, not targeting any particular community. They underscored the principle that a secular country cannot have different laws for different religions while ensuring no protection for unauthorized constructions on public lands.

Calls were made by advocates to extend interim orders preventing demolitions until the court's final decision. The Supreme Court reaffirmed that violations of public spaces would not be shielded. The bench plans to ensure their order respects the ethos of the Constitution, highlighting the importance of preventing illegal demolitions.

(With inputs from agencies.)