After making strong observations on the practice of demolishing houses of criminals to send out a strong message against crime, which has come to be known as ‘bulldozer justice’, the Supreme Court is expected to issue a set of pan-India guidelines for such demolitions on Wednesday. 

Hearing several petitions, including one filed by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, arguing that properties of people were being bulldozed in several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Gujarat, without following due process, a bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Vishwanathan had asked on September 2 how a house could be demolished just because it belongs to an accused or even a convict in a criminal case. 

Noting affidavits filed by states, the bench had said, “We propose to lay down some guidelines on a pan-India basis so that the concern raised is taken care of.”

In another hearing the same month, the bench had halted the unauthorised demolition of private property anywhere in India till October 1 and warned against “grandstanding” and “glorification” of the practice.