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Synopsis

A CJI Chandrachud led bench of the Supreme Court today asked persons aggrieved by the eviction drive that was conducted in the greater Dhalpur area in Assam’s Darrang district, to approach the High Court seeking rehabilitation.

Senior Advocate CU Singh, appearing for the petitioner, told the supreme court that 22 bullets were pumped into the chest of a person who had objected.

"We are getting used to this sort of brutality...", Singh added.

To this, the CJI said, "Don't turn this into a political speech..submit facts..".

The bench also comprising Justices Pardiwala and Manoj Misa further opined that as the eviction had taken place, the question now was of rehabilitation.

"This is a trend now, take a bulldozer and demolish..", the senior counsel further submitted.

CJI refused to accept this submission and replied, "You are also placing premium on people who take public property in their own hands.. the petitioner is the member of opposition political party, he is coming now after 8 months..Let High Court take note of this..".

The state government of Assam had undertaken an initiative to set up a community farming project in Assam. An eviction drive, backed by heavy security arrangements, was therefore conducted on September 20 and 23. Notably, mosques and madrasa were demolished. 

After a person, protesting against the drive lost his life following a run in with the police, the eviction drive was kept in abeyance for a few days but the government asserted that it will not be stopped. 

Case Title: Debabrata Saikia vs. State of Assam