Workers use bulldozers to demolish illegal buildings, a week after Kanpur violence, in Kanpur, Saturday.
Highlights
- Muslim body Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind filed pleas in SC against UP govt's demolition drive
- Organisation earlier filed plea on issue of demolition of buildings in Jahangirpuri area of Delhi
- UP govt demolished rioters illegal properties who were found involved in recent protests episodes
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, a Muslim body, on Monday moved Supreme Court with an application seeking issuance of directions to the UP government that no precipitative action be taken in Kanpur district against the residential/commercial property of any accused in any criminal proceedings as an extra-legal punitive measure.
The Muslim body in its fresh application also seeks to issue directions to the UP government to ensure that demolition exercise of any nature must be carried out strictly in accordance with applicable laws and only after due notice & opportunity of hearing given to each affected person.
The organisation had earlier filed the plea on the issue of demolition of buildings in the Jahangirpuri area of the national capital.
The fresh applications said that subsequent to the last hearing in the matter some new developments have taken place that require the attention of this Court.
Some objectionable and offensive remarks were made by two political leaders a few days ago which led to communal tension in numerous parts of the country. Following the remarks of the two political leaders, a bandh was called for by a group of people in the district of Kanpur in protest.
On the day of the protest, a scuffle broke out between the Hindu and Muslim religious community, and stone-pelting took place between the two communities.
That after the violence in Kanpur, a number of persons in authority have stated in the media that the properties of suspects/accused would be confiscated and demolished.
"Even the Chief Minister of the state has said in the media that the houses of accused persons would be razed using bulldozers," one of the pleas said.
The plea alleged that the adoption of such extra-legal measures is clearly in violation of the principles of natural justice, especially when the apex court is hearing the present matter.
"It is pertinent to note that in the present matter this Hon'ble Court ordered the stay of demolitions that were being carried out as a punitive measure in Northwest Delhi in similar circumstances. Hence, considering that the captioned matter is currently pending before this Hon'ble Court, restoring such measures is even more alarming."
"That demolition exercise of any nature must be carried out strictly in accordance with applicable laws, and only after due notice and opportunity of hearing to each of the affected persons – as mandated by this Court," the plea said.
"Issue directions to the State of Uttar Pradesh that no precipitative action be taken in Kanpur District against the residential or commercial property of any accused in any criminal proceedings as an extra-legal punitive measure," the plea said referring to the June 3 incident of violence in Kanpur.
The organisation has also sought directions to the State of Uttar Pradesh to ensure that any demolition exercise of any nature must be carried out strictly in accordance with applicable laws, and only after due notice and opportunity of hearing are given to each of the affected persons.
The top court had earlier issued notice to the Centre and others on the issue of demolition of buildings in the violence-hit Jahangirpuri area of the national capital on the plea filed by the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind that claimed that buildings of Muslim riots accused are being razed.
Meanwhile, Kanpur Development Authority (KDA) on Monday sealed 2 illegally constructed buildings in Anwarganj area following all rules.
"Have sealed almost 12-13 in the past few days. We're taking a zero-tolerance policy against all illegal & wrongly constructed buildings," DS Pandey, KDA officer said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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