1 october 2024 : The Supreme Court has issued a landmark ruling asserting that public safety is more important than religious structures encroaching on public spaces like roads, water bodies, and railway tracks. In a session led by Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, the court reiterated India’s commitment to secularism and stated that its directives regarding bulldozer actions and anti-encroachment efforts would apply equally to all citizens, irrespective of their religious affiliations.
Justice Gavai highlighted, “Whether it be temple or dargah, it has to go…public safety is paramount,” during discussions about the rising trend of demolishing properties linked to individuals accused of crimes. This practice has raised alarms regarding potential bias against specific communities.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta clarified that mere accusations, even in serious cases like terrorism or rape, do not warrant bulldozer demolitions. He stressed the necessity of providing prior notice for such actions to ensure fairness.
On September 17, the Supreme Court temporarily halted all demolition activities until October 1, barring actions on public roads or properties that pose safety risks. The court plans to establish guidelines on the conditions under which properties may be demolished according to municipal laws.
In a related incident, two revenue officials were assaulted by villagers in Uttar Pradesh after a demolition operation on government land led to unrest.
