India’s Supreme Court has issued a significant ruling imposing strict guidelines against the practice known as “bulldozer justice,” where authorities demolish properties of individuals accused or convicted of crimes. This practice has been particularly criticized for its disproportionate impact on Muslim communities, often carried out without due process or legal authorization. The court’s decision marks a decisive stance against this form of extrajudicial punishment by explicitly stating that the executive branch cannot presume guilt and enforce penalties, which is a prerogative reserved for the judiciary (JURIST, 2024).
The ruling was issued in response to petitions from victims and followed recent remarks by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud condemning bulldozer justice. The Supreme Court underscored that such actions are unconstitutional and violate the right to shelter, a component of the right to life protected under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
To deter future occurrences, the court has mandated that victims of such demolitions must receive compensation, and government officials responsible will face both prosecution and court contempt proceedings. This verdict has been welcomed by international human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, which has consistently denounced the practice of bulldozer justice as unjust and targeted. The newly established guidelines aim to uphold constitutional rights and ensure accountability for any infringement by authorities.