'No Demolition Without Permission': Supreme Court Pauses 'Bulldozer Action' Till October 1

New Delhi: In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court on Tuesday observed that no demolition should take place in the country without its prior permission, till next hearing on October 1. However, the order will not be applicable in case of encroachments on public road, footpaths, railway lines and waterbodies, the top court clarified.

The apex court's order to pause the unauthorised “bulldozer action” came during the hearing on the petition of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, filed against the ‘bulldozer action’ in Uttar Pradesh and other states. The petitions alleged that properties of those accused of crime were being demolished in several states.

While delivering the verdict the SC noted that even if there is one instance of illegal demolition, it is against the ethos of our Constitution. "Even if there is one instance of an illegal demolition… it is against the ethos of our Constitution," the bench observed. 

The order was passed by a two-judge bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan.  Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that a "narrative" was being built over demolition of properties.

"Rest assured that outside noise is not influencing us," the bench told the senior law officer. The hearing on the petition has been adjourned till October 1.