Lucknow, September 5: The Log Party today welcomed the sharp disapproval of the Supreme Court in connection unconstitutional use of bulldozers to demolish the properties of accused to some cases. The Court has rightly indicated to issue all-India guidelines to control this menace which has assumed serious dimension in the name of “bulldozer justice”.
The spokesman of the party said that in most the cases of use of bulldozers the state authorities grossly misused their power to appease the ruling party in the state. The spokesman said that increasing use of bulldozers in States by the authorities to raze the residential and business premises of the ‘accused’ who are yet to be proclaimed guilty by a competent court of law was absolutely against due process of law. The spokesman said the bulldozer has become a symbol of the popular notion of majoritarian justice in some states. It is often seen by others to be intentionally misdirected, prompted by motives other than the ostensible pretext of maintaining law and order and of punishing the disruptive elements in society. The party thus said that the top court has raised very pertinent questions, including a how a house or business establishment could be demolished simply because someone is accused in a crime. The court has also observed that even a conviction doesnot justify such an action without following proper legal procedures.
The spokesman said increasing use of bulldozers to raze to the ground, the property of the ‘accused’ is actually bulldozing justice. The party said there is no Central and/or State law which authorizes State agencies the use of bulldozer to raze the property of any accused at any stage between commitment of crime to trial and subsequent conviction. The spokesman said under the prevailing situation there was urgent need for standardized guidelines across all states to prevent arbitrary demolitions. Even in the case of unauthorized constructions, the process must be conducted in accordance with the law.
