PUCL files complaint with SC against Gujarat police, municipal authorities for 'unlawful' demolitions, custodial 'violence'
The People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has lodged a formal complaint with the Chief Justice of India, urging the Supreme Court to initiate suo-moto contempt proceedings against the police and municipal authorities in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The complaint alleges that these officials have engaged in unlawful demolitions and custodial violence, in direct violation of a Supreme Court order issued in November 2024.
The incident in question occurred on March 14, 2025, in the Vastral area of Ahmedabad, where a group of alleged anti-social elements armed with swords, iron pipes, and lathis terrorized locals and commuters. The violence resulted in several injuries and widespread property damage. Videos of the incident quickly went viral on social media, sparking public outrage.
In response, the police apprehended several suspects and, in a highly controversial move, publicly beat them and demolished their homes, allegedly in coordination with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. The police also arrested family members of the accused, who were not involved in the crime, and severed utility connections to their homes. These actions were reportedly carried out under the guise of targeting "illegal constructions."
The PUCL has condemned these actions as a blatant violation of the Supreme Court's guidelines laid down in the D.K. Basu vs. State of West Bengal case (1997), which safeguards against custodial violence, and the Court's November 2024 order, which declared demolitions based solely on criminal charges without due process as unconstitutional.
In their letter to the Chief Justice, PUCL representatives Anand Yagnik and Mujahid Nafees emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and due process, warning that such transgressions could lead to a breakdown of the justice delivery system. They have called for urgent action to hold the erring officers accountable for their actions.
The PUCL has also provided video links (see this and this) and newspaper clippings ( click here and here) as evidence of the incidents, including footage of the police beating suspects and demolishing homes. The organization hopes that the Supreme Court will take cognizance of the matter and ensure that such violations of constitutional rights are not repeated.
The PUCL's complaint underscores the ongoing tension between law enforcement and civil liberties in India, raising critical questions about the balance between swift justice and the protection of constitutional rights.
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