The Supreme Court has issued a contempt notice to the Assam government for demolishing homes of 48 residents in Kamrup district without prior notification. These residents, who live in the Mouza-Sonapur area of Kamrup Metro district, had approached the court after their homes were destroyed as part of an alleged eviction drive against encroachers on tribal land.
The demolition occurred despite a September 17 Supreme Court ruling that considered establishing nationwide guidelines to prevent “bulldozer justice.” The court had emphasized that no demolition should occur without judicial oversight, though it clarified that no protection would be provided to properties illegally occupying public land or roads.
The bench, led by Justice Bhushan R. Gavai, responded to a petition filed by the residents, instructing the state to halt further demolitions and maintain the status quo. The court also issued a contempt notice to Assam’s government and officials involved in the demolitions.
Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the residents, argued that the demolition violated the court’s prior order and that the residents had been defending their land rights in legal battles before the Gauhati High Court. The residents have lived on the land under power of attorney agreements, some dating back to the 1950s, though they do not possess original ownership documents.
The Assam government, on the other hand, has referred to a 1987 notification, claiming the land belongs to a designated tribal area. However, the residents dispute this, arguing that there has been no clear demarcation of tribal land, and many tribal people live outside the official zones.
The Supreme Court will take up the broader issue of guidelines against “bulldozer justice” in a subsequent hearing.
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