The Supreme Court of India has strongly criticized the Uttar Pradesh government for its “inhuman” demolition drive, describing it as “illegal” and a violation of residents’ fundamental right to shelter. The ruling came after a viral video showed an 8-year-old girl running with her books as a bulldozer demolished her home in Ambedkar Nagar. The court expressed deep concern over the demolitions and the lack of proper notice to affected residents.
The video, which garnered widespread attention, shows the young girl fleeing from a bulldozer while clutching her schoolbooks. This poignant scene was shared by Uttar Pradesh Congress and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, who condemned the actions of the state authorities.
Court’s Observations
The Supreme Court bench, led by Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, took serious note of the footage and questioned the justification for the demolitions. It emerged that the structures were razed on the grounds that the land allegedly belonged to gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed, but the court found that this claim was not substantiated.
The court also noted that no proper notice was given to the residents before their homes were demolished. It criticized the authorities for issuing a mere show cause notice, which did not allow residents sufficient time to respond. Justice Bhuyan stated, “There’s a video showing small huts being demolished by a bulldozer, and a small girl running with her books. It has shocked everybody.”
State’s Defense & Court’s Response
While the Ambedkar Nagar police defended the demolitions as part of a larger land reclamation effort, claiming they followed a court order to clear encroachments, the Supreme Court was unconvinced. The court found the demolitions violated the principles of due process, as residents were not given adequate notice or opportunity to contest the actions.
Ruling and Compensation
The court ruled that the demolitions were unlawful and ordered the Prayagraj Development Authority to provide Rs 10 lakh compensation to each affected family that approached the court. This compensation is to be paid within six weeks.
The court’s ruling highlighted that “residential structures cannot be dealt with in such a fashion” and emphasized that the right to shelter is a fundamental constitutional right.
In light of the financial hardships faced by the affected residents, who lack the means to rebuild their homes, the court allowed them to build temporary shelters while their appeals are pending.
The Supreme Court’s verdict comes as a significant rebuke to the state government’s handling of the demolition drive, underscoring the importance of legal processes and the protection of citizens’ rights.