New Delhi: A man from Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district has approached the Supreme Court after his house and shop were demolished, allegedly in retaliation for his 15-year-old son shouting anti-India slogans during the India-Pakistan Champions Trophy match on February 23. The petitioner, Kitabullah Hamidulla Khan, a 40-year-old scrap dealer, claims that the demolition was illegal and punitive, violating the Supreme Court’s ruling against bulldozer justice.
Family Detained, Structures Razed
According to the petition, an FIR was registered against the family on the same night as the match, following a complaint about the boy’s slogans. In the early hours, Khan, his wife, and son were taken to Malvan police station and detained. While the minor was released after a few hours, Khan and his wife remained in custody until February 25, when they were granted bail. The judicial magistrate, in his order, noted that no evidence suggested their actions were detrimental to national integration.
Allegations of Political Pressure
Khan alleges that local authorities were pressured by a MLA and mobilized supporters to carry out the demolition on February 24, a day after the match, despite no prior notice being served. His tin-shed shop and home were razed, with officials citing it as an illegal structure.
Plea for Justice
The petitioner has urged the Supreme Court to initiate contempt proceedings against the civic body, arguing that the demolition was arbitrary, illegal, and in violation of the court’s ruling in November 2024, which explicitly stated that demolitions cannot be used as punishment and must follow due legal procedure.
The Supreme Court is set to hear the case on Monday.
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