In Brief

The Supreme Court set aside the illegal demolition of residential structures in Prayagraj carried out by the Prayagraj Development Authority. The Court held that the demolition violated the right to shelter under Article 21 of the Constitution because proper notice was not served, no reasonable opportunity to respond was given, and the structures were demolished within 24 hours of service without allowing time to file an appeal. The Court directed the authority to follow due process in future demolitions and imposed costs of Rs. 10 lakhs per case for the arbitrary and high-handed action, characterizing it as 'bulldozer justice' that disregarded the rule of law.

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