Mon Nov 11 05:23:58 UTC 2024: ## Supreme Court Slams Uttar Pradesh Government for Demolishing House Without Notice
The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed strong displeasure over the demolition of a house in Uttar Pradesh without prior notice or adequate time given to the owner. The court directed the state government to pay ₹25 lakh as compensation to the affected individual.
The court questioned the Uttar Pradesh government’s justification for such an action, calling it unjust and questioning how it could be justified in the name of road widening. The bench, comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice J.B. Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra, issued guidelines for all states and union territories on the legal procedures to be followed during road widening and removal of encroachments.
The case was filed by Manoj Tibrewal, a resident of Maharajganj, whose house was demolished by authorities in 2019. The court deemed it unacceptable to ask him to vacate his home without prior notice.
The Supreme Court directed all states to conduct surveys before undertaking road widening or removal of encroachments and to issue prior notice to the owners of any property intended for removal or acquisition. The court clarified that if property owners fail to vacate despite the notice, the government must proceed legally while adhering to principles of natural justice.
The Supreme Court further stated that demolition of structures can only be carried out if the court does not issue a stay order.
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