Supreme Court Slams UP Govt Over Demolition Of Houses In Prayagraj: 'Shocks Our Conscience'

The Supreme Court condemned the Uttar Pradesh government's demolition of houses without due process, and allowed the petitioners to reconstruct their homes if they provide an undertaking.

The Supreme Court rapped UP government over demolition of houses in Prayagraj.

Source : PTI

The Supreme Court on Sunday slammed the Uttar Pradesh government over demolition of houses in Prayagraj saying the action has shocked it conscience.

A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan also denounced the manner in which the houses were bulldozed within 24 hours of serving notices without the time to appeal.

"It shocks our conscience how the residential premises were demolished in a high-handed manner. The manner in which the whole process has been conducted is shocking. Courts cannot tolerate such a process. If we tolerate it in one case it will continue," the bench said, reported PTI. 

The top court made the remarks while hearing a plea by advocate Zulfiqar Haider, Professor Ali Ahmed, and others whose houses were demolished in 2021. They moved the apex court after their plea challenging the demolition was rejected by the Allahabad High Court. 

Court Allows Reconstruction 

The top court allowed the petitioners to reconstruct the demolished homes at their own cost if they were given an undertaking before the appellate authority within the specified time and didn't claim equities over the plot or create third-party interests. 

The court further said that if the appeals by petitioners get dismissed, they must demolish the houses at their own cost and adjourned the matter to enable the petitioners to file the undertaking. 

Attorney general R Venkatramani defended the action by the state and assured of following the adequate "due process" in serving the notices. He argued that it was difficult for the state government to control unauthorised possession due to large-scale illegal occupations. 

The petitioners have alleged that they were served notice on March 6, 2021 in respect of certain constructions standing over a portion of Nazul Plot No. 19, Lukerganj, police station Khuldabad in Prayagraj district.