'Inhuman And Illegal': Supreme Court On Prayagraj Demolitions, Orders Uttar Pradesh To Pay Rs 10 Lakh Compensation Each

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday (1 April) strongly criticised the Uttar Pradesh government and Prayagraj Development Authority for their demolition of residential properties in Prayagraj, calling it "inhuman and illegal."

PTI reported, a bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan observed that the demolition drive was carried out in a "high-handed" manner, disregarding the fundamental principles of justice.

"This shocks our conscience. There is something called right to shelter, due process of law," the bench remarked, emphasising that the rule of law must be upheld and residential structures cannot be razed arbitrarily.

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court directed the authorities to pay Rs 10 lakh compensation to each affected house owner within six weeks.

The court’s decision is seen as a strong stance against ‘bulldozer justice’, a term used to describe the demolition of properties without proper legal procedures, often targeting specific communities.

The apex court had earlier criticised the Uttar Pradesh government, stating that such actions sent a “shocking and wrong signal” by undermining due legal process.

The petitioners, including advocate Zulfiqar Haider and professor Ali Ahmed, had challenged the demolition of their houses in Lukerganj, Prayagraj district, arguing that the action was illegal and arbitrary.

The Allahabad High Court had previously dismissed their plea, leading them to approach the Supreme Court.

According to the petitioners, the State government wrongly assumed that the land belonged to gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed, who was killed in a police encounter in 2023, and carried out demolitions without verifying ownership details.

They had originally been served a notice on 6 March 2021, regarding alleged irregularities in construction.

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