‘Very Sorry State of Affairs’: Allahabad High Court Imposes ₹20 Lakh Cost on State for Illegal Demolition

The Allahabad High Court has imposed ₹20 lakh costs on the Rae Bareli district authorities for illegally demolishing a citizen’s property without notice or hearing, calling it a “very sorry state of affairs.”

Justice Alok Mathur held that the action violated Article 300A of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to property.

The Court ordered restoration of possession of the vacant land to the petitioner and directed an enquiry against the erring officials.

It noted that revenue authorities acted arbitrarily, ignored due process and Supreme Court guidelines on demolitions, and caused serious infringement of constitutional and statutory safeguards.