'Shocks our conscience': Supreme Court slams U.P. govt, development body over demolitions in Prayagraj

Supreme Court criticizes Uttar Pradesh government for inhuman and illegal demolition, orders ₹10 lakh compensation to house owners.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (April 1, 2025) pulled up the Uttar Pradesh government and Prayagraj Development Authority calling its demolition of homes in the city "inhuman and illegal".

Observing the demolition action was carried out in a "high handed" manner, a bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said there was "rule of law in the country" and residential structures of citizens couldn't be demolished in such fashion.

"This shocks our conscience. There is something called right to shelter, due process of law," the bench said.

The top court, therefore, directed the authority to pay within six weeks ₹10 lakh compensation each to the house owners.

Bulldozer on the loose: On demolition of property of Muslim activists

The apex court had previously slammed the Uttar Pradesh government over the demolition action in Prayagraj without following the due legal procedure and said it sent a "shocking and wrong signal".

The petitioners' counsel had said the State government wrongly demolished the houses thinking the land belonged to gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed, who was killed in 2023 in a police encounter.