'Bulldozer justice' violates rule of law, says ex-CJI BR Gavai
Former Chief Justice of India BR Gavai has spoken out against the practice of demolishing homes of people accused of crimes, calling it unconstitutional and a violation of basic rights.
He emphasized, "If the executive does not conform to it, it is clearly contempt of court," highlighting that everyone deserves due process before punishment.
What did the Supreme Court decide?
In a key ruling led by Gavai this year, the Supreme Court set strict rules for any demolition: authorities must give at least 15 days' notice, hold a personal hearing, and record everything on video.
The Court also directed that, when vulnerable groups such as women, children, or elderly persons are involved, authorities should delay action to allow them to vacate.
If officials break these rules, they risk personal contempt charges and could even have their salaries docked to rebuild demolished homes.
Why does 'bulldozer justice' matter?
"Bulldozer justice"—using bulldozers to tear down homes without proper legal steps—has been happening in some states since 2017.
Gavai's comments remind us that punishing people before they're proven guilty isn't just unfair—it's against the law, and now there are real consequences for those who ignore these protections.