The Supreme Court on March 31, 2025, strongly criticized the Uttar Pradesh government and Prayagraj Development Authority for their “inhuman and illegal” demolition of residential houses. The Court reminded authorities that there is a “rule of law” in the country and such demolitions violate citizens’ fundamental rights, including the right to shelter.
The Court specifically referred to the Prayagraj demolitions as an act that “shocks” its conscience, highlighting that due process was not followed. The Supreme Court directed the Prayagraj authorities to pay ₹10 lakh compensation to each of the affected house owners within six weeks.
This ruling came in response to a plea filed by advocate Zulfiqar Haider and professor Ali Ahmed, whose houses were demolished. They had earlier challenged the demolition orders, claiming they were served a notice on March 6, 2021, regarding encroachments on a plot of land owned by the government.
The petitioners contended that the demolitions were carried out mistakenly, under the belief that the land was associated with gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed, who was killed in a police encounter in 2023.
Background and Legal Concerns
Previously, the Allahabad High Court had dismissed the petitioners’ plea against the demolition. The Supreme Court had earlier expressed strong disapproval, describing the actions as “high-handed” and a “shocking and wrong signal”.
While defending the state’s actions, Attorney General R. Venkataramani argued that the government had acted due to large-scale illegal occupations of land. He assured the Court that the state would follow proper legal procedures in future demolitions.