Bulldozer runs over illegal encroachments in Surat after stone-pelting incident

After the stone-pelting incident on the Ganesh Pandal in Surat’s Sayedpura area on the night of September 8, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) and the Surat Police took strict action today against the rioters by demolishing the illegal encroachments in their area.

Following the stone-pelting incident in the night, police responded swiftly and caught the perpetrators.

A large mob took to the streets thereafter, demanding strict punishment against the accused. However, communal tensions ensued between the two communities prevalent in the area.

Regardless of the police presence there, stones were hurled by the rioters from apartments, leading to widespread anger.

In retaliation for these acts, several vehicles were damaged by the protesting mob.

Although the police managed to control the situation during the night, the angry mob was adamant about their demand for “bulldozers to be used against the rioters.”

After the incident took place, Minister of State for Home Affairs Harsh Sanghavi visited the spot and ordered the police to take strict action. Following this, the rioters had been apprehended this morning.

Thereafter, SMC began removing the encroachments of street vendors from the area as part of a follow-up action. However, several unruly elements aggressively opposed the civic body’s action.

SC takes a hard line on ‘bulldozer justice’

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court mulled the formation of pan-India guidelines against the demolition of property of individuals accused of committing criminal offences.

A bench headed by Justice B R Gavai stressed that even unauthorised construction has to be demolished in “accordance with the law,” and state authorities cannot resort to the demolition of the property of the accused as a punishment.

The Bench, also comprising Justice K V Viswanathan, remarked that not only an accused but the house of a convict can also not meet such a fate, clarifying the apex court‘s intention to not protect unauthorised structures.

Echoing similar views, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, the second highest law officer of the Centre, stated that no immovable property should be demolished because the owner/occupant is alleged to have been involved in the commission of an offence.

(With inputs from syndicated feed)

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SC mulls formation of guidelines against ‘bulldozer justice’