Shah Aijaz CNI

The Supreme Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the Uttar Pradesh government and the Prayagraj Development Authority for the “inhuman and illegal” demolition of houses, asserting that the rule of law must be upheld.

A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan reminded the authorities that the right to shelter and due process of law are fundamental principles that cannot be ignored. The apex court directed the UP government and the development body to pay ₹10 lakh in compensation to each affected house owner within six weeks.

The case was brought before the court by advocate Zulfiqar Haider, professor Ali Ahmed, and other petitioners whose homes were demolished. The court’s strong remarks signal a serious rebuke to the administration over its handling of demolitions without following legal procedures.