Supreme Court questions 'bulldozer justice,' proposes pan-India guidelines for demolition
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has expressed serious concerns over the practice of demolishing homes linked to accused or convicted individuals in criminal cases, commonly referred to as 'bulldozer justice.' During a hearing, the court questioned the legality of such actions, emphasising that demolitions should only occur if the property is illegal.
Justice BR Gavai, part of the bench, stated, "How can a house be demolished just because it belongs to an accused or even a convict?" The court hinted at establishing pan-India guidelines to streamline demolition procedures, ensuring actions align with municipal laws.
The bench, also comprising Justice KV Viswanathan, stressed the importance of due process, suggesting that before any demolition, proper notices should be served, and legal remedies should be provided.
Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave, representing the petitioner, urged the court to curb the growing trend of 'bulldozer justice.' Solicitor General Tushar Mehta clarified that no property should be demolished solely because of criminal accusations against the owner, further stating that the issue was being misrepresented in the court.
The court will continue hearing the matter on September 17, seeking suggestions to address the issue comprehensively.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
