“Not right to comment on court’s order, but laws under constitution should be followed by everyone”: UP Minister Ashish Patel on SC’s order on bulldozer action

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 4 (ANI): Following the Supreme Court’s order to lay guidelines on recent bulldozer practices opted by governments on immovable properties, Uttar Pradesh Minister of Technical Education Ashish Patel said on Wednesday that it would not be accurate for him to comment on the decision of the apex court.

Patel further stated that everyone should adhere to the constitution of Dr BR Ambedkar and follow the laws under it.

“It is not right for me to comment on the court’s order but I will say that the constitution of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar and the laws made under that constitution should be followed by everyone and our CM follows strict law and order against criminals,” he said.

On Monday, the SC said that the properties of the accused can’t be demolished even if he is convicted and further questioned this practice. A bench of justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan asked the concerned parties to submit suggestions that the top court can consider to frame the pan-India guidelines.

During the hearing, the top court remarked how demolition can take place if someone is accused and the property can’t be demolished even if he is convicted.

However, the top court made it clear that it would not protect any illegal structure obstructing public roads. The top court said that the demolition of properties should be done as per law. The top court assured that it would resolve the issue and listed the matter for September 17.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted before the top court that no property belonging to a person can be bulldozed merely because someone is involved in some criminal case or convicted and this can only be done under the provisions of the municipal laws.

The top court was hearing various petitions relating to bulldozer practice by the authorities to demolish immovable properties.

One of the applications filed recently said that the increasing culture of illegal demolitions in the country is turning extra-legal punishment by the state into a norm and minorities and marginalised communities have been increasingly victimised by using extra-legal demolitions as a tool of punishment and creating a harrowing precedent for people in general and the members of the minority communities in particular.

The petitioner sought to issue direction that no action be taken against the residential or commercial property of any accused in any criminal proceedings as an extra-legal punishment. The plea also sought that any demolition exercise must strictly be carried out in accordance with the law.

Strict action is to be taken against officials who have participated in an illegal exercise of demolition of properties of accused persons without following the due process of law, the plea demanded.