Supreme Court Halts ‘Bulldozer Justice’ Until October 1, Excludes Public Space Encroachments

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ordered a temporary halt on unauthorized demolition actions against private properties across the country until October 1. This decision was made despite government concerns that legitimate demolitions conducted after proper legal procedures could be affected. “The heavens won’t fall if we ask you to hold your actions until the next hearing,” said the bench of Justice BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan.

The court, which has already taken a strong stance against the use of bulldozers for demolitions by state governments, also warned against the “grandstanding” and “glorification” of such practices. It ordered that no demolition be carried out without the court’s permission until the next hearing and indicated that the Election Commission might also be notified.

This order is particularly significant as elections are approaching in Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand, where the ruling BJP is seeking to maintain its hold on power.

However, the Supreme Court clarified that this order does not apply to the removal of encroachments on public spaces, including roads, railway tracks, and water bodies.