SC asks UP to reply over demolitions

New Delhi, June 16 The Supreme Court on Thursday granted three days to the Uttar Pradesh government and other respondents to file their reply over fresh pleas filed by the Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind seeking to stop illegal demolitions in the state.
A two-judge vacation Bench of Justices A S Bopana and Vikram Nath fixed the next date of hearing as Tuesday, June 21.
The Bench said it cannot stay demolitions but it can ask for the same to be done in accordance with the law.
It was hearing a petition filed by the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind seeking appropriate direction to the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure that no further demolitions were carried out without following the due process of law.
The Jamiat knocked the doors of the court on June 13.
The application by Jamiat sought directions to initiate action against officials responsible for the houses demolished in violation of the law as well as municipal laws enacted by Uttar Pradesh.
The Jamiat argued that the situation was more alarming as the Supreme Court had already ordered the stay of demolitions that were carried out as a punitive measure in Northwest Delhi in similar circumstances. “It is a violation of the orders of the Supreme Court,” it said.