SC Cracks Down on UP Govt Over Illegal Demolitions, Orders Compensation

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Supreme Court has reprimanded the Uttar Pradesh government and the Prayagraj Development Authority for illegally demolishing houses in Prayagraj. The court stated that the demolition of houses by bulldozers "shakes our conscience" and violates the right to shelter and due process of law. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuiyan criticized the state government for carrying out the demolition action in a repressive manner, without giving the victims sufficient time to appeal. The court also directed the Prayagraj Development Authority to pay compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the house owners within 6 weeks.

The case pertains to the demolition of houses belonging to lawyer Zulfiqar Haider, Professor Ali Ahmed, and others, which were allegedly carried out by the state government thinking that the land belonged to gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed. The Allahabad High Court had earlier dismissed a petition challenging the demolition of houses. The Supreme Court's verdict emphasizes the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens' rights to shelter and due process.