Justice Bhuyan criticizes property demolitions in Maharashtra

Justice Ujjal Bhuyan of the Supreme Court has strongly criticized the practice of demolishing the homes of individuals suspected of crimes. He stated that such actions are like bulldozing the Constitution of India. Justice Bhuyan emphasized the importance of following due process and maintaining the rule of law. Speaking on March 22, Justice Bhuyan described the demolition of properties as both "disturbing" and "depressing." He warned that this trend, known as "bulldozer justice," undermines the foundations of the justice system. This practice began in Uttar Pradesh under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's government in 2017. His comments came during a legal competition in Pune, Maharashtra, where he highlighted the human cost of such demolitions. Justice Bhuyan noted that when a home is destroyed, it affects not just the accused, but also their families. He questioned the fairness of punishing innocent family members for the actions of one person. On the same day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hinted at using similar tactics in response to recent violence in Nagpur. He stated that if necessary, a bulldozer would be used against those involved in unrest. Justice Bhuyan's remarks highlight a critical debate about the balance between law enforcement and the rights of individuals.