Supreme Court Rejects 'Bulldozer Justice', Warns Against Unconstitutional Practices

Delhi: In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India has sharply criticized the growing trend of "bulldozer justice", a term used to describe the unlawful demolitions of properties, often targeting marginalized communities, without due legal process. The Court referred to such actions as "unknown to any civilized system" and categorically rejected them, warning that they violate fundamental constitutional rights.

The remarks came in response to a petition challenging the demolition of structures in several states under the guise of urban development or anti-encroachment drives. These demolitions have been criticized for being arbitrary, disproportionately affecting the poor and vulnerable, and carried out without proper notice or opportunity for the affected parties to contest the decisions in court.

A bench of Chief Justice Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra had also directed the UP government to pay ₹ 25 lakh compensation to the man whose house was razed in 2019 for a road-widening project.

This expanded version incorporates the specific order for compensation, the broader constitutional implications, and the Court’s strong stance against unlawful demolitions. It provides a clear overview of the Court's intervention and its potential impact on future legal and social developments.