India's Supreme Court bans 'bulldozer justice' often used against Muslims

India’s Supreme Court on Wednesday strongly criticized states that have demolished properties of suspected criminals, a practice critics say mostly targets minority Muslims, and issued guidelines to authorities.

The verdict came in response to many petitions filed after demolitions in recent years in states ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

BJP governments in the states have torn down what they say are illegal houses or shops of people accused of crimes, many of them Muslims, in what has come to be popularly known as “instant, bulldozer justice.”

Rights groups and opposition parties have denounced the practice, saying it mostly targets poor Muslims while circumventing the judicial process.

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BJP governments have rejected the accusations and said such properties were in violation of local laws and the owners had been served notices.

On Wednesday, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled that the state and its officials cannot take arbitrary action against suspects or convicts without following the due process of law.

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It also laid down guidelines, including issuing prior notice and taking a video of the demolition process.

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“It is not a happy sight to see women, children and aged persons dragged to the streets overnight. Heavens would not fall on the authorities if they hold their hands for some period,” the court said.

There was no immediate reaction to the verdict from the BJP.