Supreme Court Slams UP Govt Over Prayagraj Demolitions, Orders ₹10 Lakh Compensation Per Case

Supreme Court Slams UP Govt Over Prayagraj Demolitions: Denouncing the Uttar Pradesh government and Prayagraj Development Authority, the Supreme Court, on Tuesday, said that houses are being demolished in a very 'inhuman and illegal' way. The court stated the reminder that this is a state under the rule of law and everything shall be obviated.

Commercially, the know-how of saying that the residential structure should not be demolished in such a manner, reiterating that the right to shelter and the due process of law is to be ensured.

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This demolition act in Prayagraj was described as one that shocked the conscience of the court, emphasizing how important it is to follow the right legal procedures while handling such cases. It directed that the Prayagraj Development Authority pay ₹10 lakh to each of the affected house owners within the next six weeks.

Outrage over ‘High-handed’ demolition

This was after the court had recently opined on March 24: "high-handed," as that was how the demolition seemed, and violation of primary legal principles. The petition is now being heard in a court presided over by Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, for and on behalf of Zulfiqar Haider, Ali Ahmed, and several other affected individuals from the demolished areas.

Petitioners had also approached the Allahabad High Court, which rejected their plea regarding the demolition. A notice dated March 6, 2021, related to illegal constructions on a plot identified as Nazul Plot No. 19 in Lukerganj, Prayagraj, was allegedly served upon the petitioners.

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Incorrect assumption behind demolition

The petitioners' counsel stated that the demolition took place because of a misinterpretation. They contended that the government has erroneously assumed that the disputed land belongs to Atiq Ahmed, a gangster-politician, who was killed in a police encounter in 2023.

The petitioners also claimed that the UP government acted on this false perception leading to the demolishing of their houses.

UP govt defends demolition

R. Venkataramani, the Attorney General, defended the state's acts on the preceding hearing, March 24, stating that due course of action had been followed by the government in serving notices to those households.

He contended that the state was trying to manage rampant illegal encroachment in the area, making it difficult to control unauthorized possession of lands.

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