In the aftermath of the September 26 “I Love Muhammad” protest in Bareilly, where police action against Muslim demonstrators was followed by punitive demolitions targeting their homes, the Allahabad High Court has ordered authorities not to carry out any demolition activity for three months on properties belonging to petitioners earlier accused of illegal construction.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Ajit Kumar and Justice Satya Veer Singh passed the order while hearing a writ petition filed by Mohd Shahid and seven others under Article 226 of the Constitution.
Authorities initiated a wave of demolitions soon after the protest and subsequent violence, claiming violations linked to prominent Muslim cleric Tauqeer Raza and his supporters. Critics have described this as “bulldozer justice,” collective punishment against Muslim dissenters.
The petitioners challenged a notice dated October 9, 2025, directing them to remove alleged illegal structures within 15 days. Their counsel argued that the municipality had long been collecting taxes on the buildings, effectively regularising them, and that the notice resembled a final order passed without adherence to principles of natural justice.
The State and local authorities, represented by the Additional Chief Standing Counsel and municipal counsel, contended that since replies had already been filed, the matter could be resolved through the regular show-cause process.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com. Read the full story here.
