The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), the house of an individual allegedly linked to the March 17 Nagpur riots is set for demolition today, following the failure of the property owner to comply with a civic deadline. The demolition of the double-storey house in Sanjay Bagh Colony marks the first such action against a riot accused by the civic body, which has been under increasing pressure to act following the violence that rocked the city.
The property, registered in the name of the accused’s wife, was served with a notice on March 21 by NMC, which deemed it an illegal structure. Despite the failure to remove the unauthorized construction within a 24-hour deadline, the house will be demolished, with police presence expected to ensure security during the operation. This demolition comes after the accused failed to provide any legitimate documentation to support the legality of the structure. Authorities had earlier inspected the property on March 20 and determined that the building violated the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act of 1966, citing that no building plan had been approved for the property. As a result, the house was deemed to be an encroachment, leading to the demolition order. The timing of the demolition aligns with the lifting of the curfew in areas that had been severely impacted by the riots. While the curfew was officially removed on Sunday, security measures remain in place in certain sensitive areas to maintain public order. The curfew was imposed after the city saw violent clashes on March 17, leading to several injuries and one fatality, with concerns still lingering in some sections of the city. The decision to demolish the house, despite the ongoing national debate over the ethics of “bulldozer justice,” reflects a broader push by local authorities to take swift and visible action in the aftermath of the riots. Just two days ago, the Chief Minister of the state had made remarks supporting the use of bulldozers to take down illegal properties linked to those involved in criminal activities, igniting further conversation on the issue.
However, the Supreme Court had previously issued a ruling in November 2022, imposing a nationwide ban on demolitions without following due legal procedures. The Court ruled that demolishing property based solely on the individual’s involvement in a crime, without adhering to the necessary judicial and procedural guidelines, would be unconstitutional. The judgment laid out a clear framework for demolitions, ensuring that the due process of law is observed in every case. Despite these legal precedents, the ongoing case in Nagpur seems to have triggered a rapid course of action from the municipal corporation. Experts argue that demolitions like these may set a dangerous precedent, as they risk undermining citizens’ fundamental rights to shelter, especially if conducted without following judicial procedures. The actions of local authorities in this case, therefore, raise questions about the balance between law enforcement and civil rights. In addition to the demolition, local police forces have already sealed two shops linked to the accused and his political party, the Minority Democratic Party (MDP), following a probe that uncovered their use during the riots. This crackdown on illegal activities is viewed by some as a necessary step to curb lawlessness, while others contend that it could fuel further tension within an already fragile social environment. As the demolition unfolds, many residents of the area, still reeling from the unrest of the past week, are watching closely to see whether this marks the beginning of an aggressive policy approach by local authorities or merely an isolated case. While curfew restrictions were eased, the city remains on edge, with the death of one riot victim amplifying security concerns. The festive mood of Gudi Padwa and Eid approaching later this month has added complexity to the situation, with authorities working to strike a balance between maintaining peace and ensuring the safety of citizens.
The demolition action today will likely spark further debates about the use of state power in times of social unrest and its potential long-term consequences on the rule of law and human rights. As Nagpur moves past the immediate impact of the riots, the question remains: can swift punitive actions truly ensure peace and justice, or do they risk eroding the very principles of fairness that form the foundation of India’s legal system
