While this decision is celebrated, many past victims, including Afreen Fatima, still seek justice and compensation for their lost homes.
'India's Supreme Court Outlaws 'Bulldozer Justice': A Step Toward Justice for Victims'
'India's Supreme Court Outlaws 'Bulldozer Justice': A Step Toward Justice for Victims'
The recent Supreme Court ruling in India bans the arbitrary demolition of homes linked to alleged criminal activity.
Afreen Fatima, a prominent activist from Prayagraj, reflects on the bittersweet nature of India's Supreme Court ruling that outlaws the controversial practice known as "bulldozer justice." This term refers to the alarming trend of demolishing homes of individuals accused of crimes, often without due process or substantial evidence. For Fatima, the ruling brings some hope but also raises difficult questions about the fate of families like hers, who lost their home amid allegations against her father, local politician Javed Mohammad.
In June 2022, Mohammad was arrested after protests turned violent, but he has never been formally charged with a crime. Following his arrest, authorities swiftly demolished the family's longtime residence, labeling it as an illegal structure. This marked a distressing chapter for Fatima, who recounts her feelings of being homeless even when she had a new roof over her head. “It's not the same. I spent most of my life in our old house. There are no memories here; it feels empty,” she states, highlighting the psychological impact of such loss.
On the day of the court's ruling, which came after years of growing public outcry against arbitrary demolitions, Fatima held her breath for a resolution, hoping to gain closure from the past injustice. While the court ruled against the practice, it did not address the pressing issue of compensation for those who have already suffered losses.
Rights groups hailed the judgment as a historic turn but recognized its shortcomings, particularly the lack of provisions for restitution. Civil rights activists note that in 2022 alone, 128 structures were destroyed in just three months in similar punitive actions labeled as illegal constructions.
Legal experts indicate that while the order does not affirm claims for monetary compensation, it does provide a clear judicial stance against unjust demolitions. Past victims maintain skepticism; many are still mired in legal battles, and even though the court's order sets new operational guidelines, it provides little immediate relief.
For families like that of Fatima, who continue grappling with displacement since their homes were demolished, the ruling remains an insufficient remedy. Reshma, a daily wage worker from Rajasthan, echoes this sentiment, stating that without tangible support, the ruling remains ineffective for those in distress.
As Fatima’s father begins to rebuild their lives with renewed hope, she emphasizes the need for justice for all families affected by bulldozer justice. “Just like this house, we are building lives again and renovating our memories," she shares, illustrating the resilience and strength of those forced to endure life after loss in the wake of arbitrarily enforced laws.
In June 2022, Mohammad was arrested after protests turned violent, but he has never been formally charged with a crime. Following his arrest, authorities swiftly demolished the family's longtime residence, labeling it as an illegal structure. This marked a distressing chapter for Fatima, who recounts her feelings of being homeless even when she had a new roof over her head. “It's not the same. I spent most of my life in our old house. There are no memories here; it feels empty,” she states, highlighting the psychological impact of such loss.
On the day of the court's ruling, which came after years of growing public outcry against arbitrary demolitions, Fatima held her breath for a resolution, hoping to gain closure from the past injustice. While the court ruled against the practice, it did not address the pressing issue of compensation for those who have already suffered losses.
Rights groups hailed the judgment as a historic turn but recognized its shortcomings, particularly the lack of provisions for restitution. Civil rights activists note that in 2022 alone, 128 structures were destroyed in just three months in similar punitive actions labeled as illegal constructions.
Legal experts indicate that while the order does not affirm claims for monetary compensation, it does provide a clear judicial stance against unjust demolitions. Past victims maintain skepticism; many are still mired in legal battles, and even though the court's order sets new operational guidelines, it provides little immediate relief.
For families like that of Fatima, who continue grappling with displacement since their homes were demolished, the ruling remains an insufficient remedy. Reshma, a daily wage worker from Rajasthan, echoes this sentiment, stating that without tangible support, the ruling remains ineffective for those in distress.
As Fatima’s father begins to rebuild their lives with renewed hope, she emphasizes the need for justice for all families affected by bulldozer justice. “Just like this house, we are building lives again and renovating our memories," she shares, illustrating the resilience and strength of those forced to endure life after loss in the wake of arbitrarily enforced laws.
