The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on the demolition of houses of those accused in recent violence in the state and said, "demolitions have to be in accordance with law, they cannot be retaliatory".
The Supreme court, however, did not order UP to stop the demolitions. "We can't stay demolitions. We can say go in accordance with law," said the court.
The Supreme Court made the comments while hearing a petition filed by Muslim body Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind in connection with the recent demolitions of buildings deemed illegal by the state administration, including the home of Javed Mohammad - a leader with the Welfare Party of India.
Javed Mohammad's house was razed on Sunday by the district development authority in Prayagraj that has claimed the building had been illegally constructed and that he had not appeared for hearings after notices issued in May. His lawyers, however, said the family only received a copy of the notice late on Saturday, the night before the demolition, and that the building was owned by his wife and not him.
Here are the LIVE updates on Supreme Court hearing on demolitions:
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Next hearing in the case will take place on Tuesday (June 21).
Demolitions have to be in accordance with law: Supreme Court
Supreme Court issues notice to UP government seeking its reply to the petitions in the case. "We can't stay demolitions. Can say go in accordance with law. Demolitions have to be in accordance with law. Cannot be retaliatory measure," the top court said.
Advocate Harish Salve for UP Administration: People are reading some report in newspapers that notice was not issued and coming to Supreme Court. That is why the Solicitor General pointed out the issue of who the petitioner is.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta: In the Delhi case the political party that came to SC (CPM had come) said area is of only one community
The fundamental argument is whether something was done legally or illegally. We cannot have omnibus arguments. That its just retaliation for riots.
SG Tushar Mehta: Mr Salve (who is appearing for UP admin) can show you that demolitions have been going on irrespective of community.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta is representing the UP government in the case. Here are key pointers of his arguments before the bench:
- All this started with Delhi's Jahangirpuri demolitions
- Supreme Court ordered status quo
- Then some unaffected parties came to top court
- Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind is petitioner now too but none of its properties were affected
Adequate Deadline Must Before Demolition, Say Petitioners
"15-40 days deadline is must before any demolition action takes place by administration," Advocate CU Singh, who is representing Petitioners, told the Supreme Court bench.
"What is being done is unconstitutional and shocking": Petitioners
Advocate CU Singh is representing Petitioners in the Supreme Court. While arguing the case, he said that adequate notices are must. "What is being done is unconstitutional and shocking. Being done by targetting a community," Advocate CU Singh said.
The Supreme Court is hearing a petition seeking directions to the Uttar Pradesh government to follow rules while carrying out further demolitions in the state. The petition also sought strict action against officials indulging in unlawful demolition.
The petition, filed by Muslim body Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, was filed in connection with the recent demolitions of buildings deemed illegal by the state administration, including the home of Javed Mohammad - a leader with the Welfare Party of India.