SC notice to Assam govt over demolitions

Supreme Court issued notice to Assam govt seeking its response on a plea seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against it for violating its order that no demolition should take place across the country without the court’s prior permission. A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan agreed to hear pleas of residents of Assam whose houses were demolished and directed the authorities to maintain status quo in the matter. The apex court had, on September 17, said there would be no demolition of properties without its permission. Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the petitioners, said there has been an “egregious violation” and breach of the apex court’s order that had categorically said there should be no demolition without its permission. The apex court had also said people holding public office must stop glorifying the practice or engage in grandstanding about it.