Gauhati HC asks Assam Govt to adequately compensate victims of illegal bulldozing of houses
The suo motu PIL was registered on the basis of allegations that on the order of a Police officer, the house of a Nagaon resident was bulldozed.
While closing the suo motu proceedings initiated over illegal bulldozing of the house of a Nagaon resident, the Gauhati High Court on Tuesday asked the Assam government to adequately compensate the affected persons.
Upon assurance of the Advocate General, Assam that a Committee has been constituted to enquire into the issue and appropriate action shall be taken against erring persons within 15 days, the division bench of Chief Justice RM Chhaya and Justice Soumitra Saika ordered,
"Upon such assurance and in view of the fact that the State is now seized of the matter, it is expected that the State shall also take appropriate decision for compensating the persons affected by the illegal action of the officer."
Court also directed that a report of the same shall also be placed before the court. While closing the proceedings, the court, however, clarified the case has been closed with the liberty to revive merely by filing a note.
Moreover, court directed the counsel for the Gauhati High Court to look into the matter.
The suo motu Public Interest Litigation was registered on the basis of the allegation that the house belonging to one of the citizens of Nagaon was bulldozed by the police personnel of Batadraba Police Station.
A Superintendent of Police (SP) had ordered the bulldozing as a result of which the houses of five men accused of torching a police station were razed.
By an order dated December 13, 2022, senior Government Advocate, Assam was asked to take instructions from the highest authority in the Home Department.
In pursuance of the same, the Advocate General, Assam apprised the court of the steps taken by the government to address the issue.
Case Title: XX v. State of Assam and 4 others