The Supreme Court in its order finally stopped the destruction of private property owned by those accused in criminal cases until October 1, commonly called “bulldozer justice”. Yogi Adityanath, calling it a break from “destructive politics”, political analysts recall the demolition in Uttar Pradesh.
According to analysts, the bulldozer action in UP started in 2017, soon after Adityanath became the CM and introduced a policy of zero tolerance towards crime and criminals.
It made headlines in 2020 when the local government destroyed the property of gangster Vikas Dubey, who killed eight policemen on the night of July 2 in Bikru village in Kanpur. After eliminating Dubey and his gang, the police destroyed Dubey’s house.
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“This is the first time when the bulldozer’s act, which also took the UP CM the title of ‘Bulldozer Baba’, is visible,” said Shashikanth Pandey, head of the political science department of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow.
BULLDOZER ACTION WILL COME UP
The ‘bulldozer action’ in UP peaked after the killing of Umesh Pal on February 24, 2023, who was linked to gangster politician Atiq Ahmed. Pal, a key witness in the 2005 killing of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Raju Pal, was allegedly killed by Ahmed’s men, including his son, to maintain his influence. After this, Adityanath announced in the state assembly, “Mafia ko mitti mein mila doonga (I will reduce the mafia to dust).”
In response, the Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) launched a demolition drive, targeting properties linked to the accused. Among them is the house of Zeeshan Fatima, Atiq Ashraf’s brother’s wife, which authorities claim was built on Waqf land without proof of proper ownership. The house of another aide Mohammed Ghulam was also bulldozed. Since 2020, the PDA has demolished six of Atiq’s properties, including a two-storey house in Chakia Prayagraj and his office, citing illegal construction on government land. Atiq and his brother Ashraf, both in jail, were killed by three gunmen on April 15, 2023, during a court-mandated medical visit.
MAFIA, CRIMINALS FACING THE HEAT
Beyond Ahmed, whose property worth Rs 350 crore was bulldozed, the UP government expanded its action to mafia and other criminals. Mafia-don Mukhtar Ansari’s properties worth over Rs 194 crore were attached, and several properties in Lucknow and other districts were demolished. The government also attached properties worth Rs 65 crore belonging to gangster Sunder Bhati and demolished illegal buildings owned by him. The bulldozer policy has been extended to gangsters and other criminals in the country, signaling the administration’s tough stance against organized crime.
Latest DEMOLITION
Of all the bulldozer actions, the latest is in Ayodhya. The district government on August 22 demolished a shopping complex owned by Moid Khan, a Samajwadi Party (SP) leader accused of molesting a 12-year-old girl, in Bhadarsa town. Earlier, on August 8, the district government had demolished Khan’s bakery built on 3,000 square feet, saying that part of it was built on pond land.
SC PAUSE
The Supreme Court recently ordered no illegal demolition of private property anywhere in India till October 1, when it will next hear arguments against ‘bulldozer justice’. The court dismissed concerns from the government, represented by Attorney General Tushar Mehta, that the order would lead to the destruction of the legal system. “The sky will not fall if we ask you to hold hands till (the) next hearing,” a bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan said.
SP calls victory over ‘broken’ politics
The SP hailed the Supreme Court’s order as a victory against “destructive” politics linked to the abuse of bulldozers.
Yadav said, “The Supreme Court’s order not only avoids the bulldozers, but also the politics of those who misuse it. Today, the wheels and steering wheel of the bulldozer are dead, creating an identity crisis for those who use the emblem.
He said, “Now, neither the bulldozer nor the people who operate it can continue. It is time to stop both. However, there is a major concern – will they change the name of the bulldozer and find another way to misuse it?”
