Patna High Court came down heavily on the police officials who demolished the house of a petitioner illegally.\
Justice Sandeep Kumar was hearing a plea filed by the man whose house in Agam Kuan, Patna was demolished. Justice Kumar questioned the police whether they were representing the state or some private person.
“On reading of the FIR and the counter affidavit of the SHO, it appears that all the officials are hand in gloves with some land mafia and they have illegally demolished the house of the petitioner without following the due process of law,” the order said.
The petitioner submitted that a false case was filed against the whole family to force them to vacate the house.
“Kya yahan bhi Bulldozer chalne laga? Whom do you represent, the state or some private person? Tamasha bana diya ki kisi ka bhi ghar bulldozer se tod denge (Has the bulldozer started running here too? Who do you represent, the State or some private person? made a spectacle of it that you will demolish anyone’s house with a bulldozer,” stated the bench.
Justice Kumar stated, “Bhoomi vivadon ko chinhit kar, thana ko hi power de diya hai execution karna ka? Aapka samasya hai to thana jaiye, paisa dijiye aur ghar tudva dijiye kisi ka…civil court ko band kar dijiye. (After identifying the land disputes, has the police station been given the power of execution? If one has a problem then he can to the police station, give money, and get someone’s house demolished…close the civil court then).”
The Court stated that if demolition is found to be against law, he will order the payment of a hefty compensation of Rs 5 lakh from the pockets of each officer involved to the woman.
“5-5 lakh rupye dilwaynge hum, ghar tudwane ka…personal pocket se. Ab police or CO milkar ghar tudwa raha hai ghoos lekar…Patna mein land mafia ke jo jameen kabza mein aap (referring to police officers) jo agent bane hue hain na… this has to be stopped,” the judge said.
“The police and CO are demolishing people’s homes after taking bribes,” Justice Kumar said.
In recent days, bulldozer justice has been hitting headlines which is receiving backlash from around the world.
The Court has directed Superintended of Police (Patna east), Circle Officer, SHO Agamkuan and four land mafias to appear before court on December 8. Sabka barat lekar aaiye ga, Justice Kumar said.
