On October 13, violence erupted during a Durga Puja procession in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich, resulting in the death of 22-year-old Ram Gopal Mishra. The incident began with a disagreement over loud music near a mosque and escalated into arson and vandalism.

As tensions rose, local authorities issued demolition notices targeting properties linked to those accused in the violence. But the Supreme Court has stepped in, warning the Yogi Adityanath government against any demolition actions that could violate its directives.

The Supreme Court’s bench emphasized that while it will not intervene if structures are deemed illegal, the ongoing practice known as ‘bulldozer justice’ – a term used to refer to the practice of demolishing properties of those accused in criminal cases — is under scrutiny.
The Allahabad High Court has extended the response deadline to 15 days, yet many residents fear losing their homes and businesses.

The court has made it clear: being accused of a crime is not a valid reason for property demolition. Any such actions must follow civic rules and regulations.
UP authorities claim the demolitions are part of a routine anti-encroachment drive, but many locals are skeptical, fearing a crackdown on their livelihoods instead.