In the aftermath of the September 26 “I Love Muhammad” protest in Bareilly, where police action against Muslim demonstrators was followed by punitive demolitions targeting their homes, the Allahabad High Court has ordered authorities not to carry out any demolition activity for three months on properties belonging to petitioners earlier accused of illegal construction.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Ajit Kumar and Justice Satya Veer Singh passed the order while hearing a writ petition filed by Mohd Shahid and seven others under Article 226 of the Constitution.
Authorities initiated a wave of demolitions soon after the protest and subsequent violence, claiming violations linked to prominent Muslim cleric Tauqeer Raza and his supporters. Critics have described this as “bulldozer justice,” collective punishment against Muslim dissenters.
The petitioners challenged a notice dated October 9, 2025, directing them to remove alleged illegal structures within 15 days. Their counsel argued that the municipality had long been collecting taxes on the buildings, effectively regularising them, and that the notice resembled a final order passed without adherence to principles of natural justice.
The State and local authorities, represented by the Additional Chief Standing Counsel and municipal counsel, contended that since replies had already been filed, the matter could be resolved through the regular show-cause process.
The Court, while disposing of the petition, said that the petitioners must individually respond to the notice within four weeks. Once replies are submitted, the competent authority must decide the show-cause notices by a speaking order within two months of granting the petitioners a reasonable opportunity for a personal hearing. The Court also directed that no coercive action or demolition shall be undertaken for three months from the date of the order, or until the authority concludes the proceedings, whichever is earlier.
The State counsel has been instructed to immediately convey the protective order to the Bareilly administration.
Although temporary, the relief shields residents from imminent demolitions while their claims are reviewed in accordance with the law.
In October, Bareilly Municipal Corporation served notices alleging that 27 homes had been built illegally on municipal land and warned that FIRs could be filed and demolition expenses could be recovered from the occupants.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court issued a similar intervention, ordering an immediate pause on the demolition of Aiwan-e-Farhat, a marriage hall owned by Farhat Jahan and Sarfaraz Wali Khan, granting seven-day protection and directing the petitioners to approach the Allahabad High Court while ensuring that no further demolition takes place until then.
