India's top court halts demolition of properties without its approval

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) - India’s top court on Tuesday paused “bulldozer actions,” barring demolition of properties without its permission.

The Supreme Court, however, clarified that the order would not be applicable to encroachments on public roads, footpaths and railway lines, etc. The ​​​​​new order will be implemented until Oct. 1.

The direction came as the court heard the case where petitioners challenged the “bulldozer actions” in several states.

The top court earlier this month said it will give certain guidelines on a pan-India basis.

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani recently said demolition of Muslim properties occurred again in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan states, bringing the issue into the spotlight.

The top court issued a notice in 2022 to the central government and provincial states, seeking responses regarding demolitions.

Amnesty International says India’s "widespread unlawful demolitions of Muslims’ homes, businesses and places of worship through the use of bulldozers and other machines must stop immediately.”

The bulldozers have become synonymous with the oppression of Muslims, according to the rights body, which says "demolitions carried out without any due process have left many Muslims homeless or deprived of their livelihoods."