New Delhi: The Supreme Court directed on Wednesday that no demolition should be carried out without prior 15-day notice to the owner of the property.
According to reports, Supreme Court said the notice shall be served upon the owner by registered post and it shall also be fixed on outer portion of the structure. The notice shall contain nature of unauthorized construction, details of specific violation and grounds of demolition. The demolition has to be video graphed and violation of guidelines will invite contempt.
Supreme Court further said that for an average citizen, construction of house is culmination of years of hard-work, dreams and aspirations. House embodies collective hope of security and future and if this is taken away, authorities must satisfy it is the only way. Supreme Court held that the state and its officials can’t take arbitrary and excessive measures. Supreme Court says the executive can’t declare a person guilty and can’t become a judge and decide to demolish the property of an accused person.
Supreme Court pronouncing a verdict on the “bulldozer actions” by state governments to demolish properties of persons accused of crimes said it has considered the rights guaranteed under the Constitution that provide protection to individuals from arbitrary state action. the Apex Court said that the rule of law provides a framework to make sure individuals know the property will not be taken away arbitrarily.
