'Inhuman, illegal': Supreme Court rebukes UP govt for 2021 demolitions

The apex court directs Prayagraj Development Authority to pay Rs 10 lakh compensation to each homeowner who moved court

The Supreme Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the Uttar Pradesh government and Prayagraj Development Authority, calling its 2021 demolition of homes in the city “inhuman and illegal”.

 

The court also ordered the civic body to pay ₹10 lakh compensation within six weeks to each homeowner who had approached the court.

 

Observing the demolition action was carried out in a “high-handed” manner, a bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said, “This shocks our conscience. There is something called the right to shelter, due process of law.”

 

The court also pulled up the state and the civic body for razing homes under the false premise that the plot belonged to the late gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed.

 

 

“There's a video where small huts are being demolished by a bulldozer, and a small girl is running away with her books. It has shocked everybody,” Justice Ujjal Bhuyan observed.

 

The court also reminded the authorities that the right to shelter is an integral part of Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

 

“Considering the illegal action of the demolition which is in violation of rights of the appellants under Article 21 of the Constitution, we direct the Prayagraj Development Authority to pay compensation of ₹10 lakh each to the appellants,” the court said.

 

It also expressed its disapproval on the manner of affixing demolition notices.

 

“This affixing business must be stopped. They have lost their houses because of this,” the court said.

 

The apex court was hearing a plea by Advocate Zulfiqar Haider, Professor Ali Ahmed and others whose houses were demolished.

 

The Allahabad High Court had rejected their plea challenging the demolition. The petitioners were reportedly served a notice on March 6, 2021 with respect to certain constructions at Lukerganj in Prayagraj district. 

COURT VIEW

 

*  The court pulled up the authorities for razing homes under the false premise that the plot belonged to the late gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed

 

*  There is something called right to shelter, due process of law, the Bench said 

 

*  It also expressed its disapproval on the manner of affixing demolition notices