Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati has strongly criticized the increasing use of “Bulldozer justice” by the government, calling for a return to the “Rule of Law by Law.” The former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh emphasized that legal actions should target criminal elements directly, without penalizing their families or close associates.
In a statement on social media platform X, Mayawati asserted, “Actions against criminal elements must be conducted strictly according to the law. It is unjust to punish their families or loved ones for their crimes.” She highlighted that her government had previously upheld this principle by ensuring justice was served within the boundaries of the law.
Mayawati expressed concern over the trend of using bulldozers to demolish properties, advocating that such measures should only be executed in line with Supreme Court directives. “Ideally, there should be no need to resort to bulldozers, as criminal activities can be addressed through existing strict laws,” she stated.
She further urged that instead of targeting the families of alleged criminals, the government should focus on taking stringent action against officials who, through collusion with criminal elements, fail to deliver justice to victims. “All governments need to prioritize this approach,” Mayawati added.
The BSP chief’s comments follow ongoing criticisms from opposition parties, who accuse the BJP-led government of practicing “Bulldozer justice” by demolishing properties linked to accused individuals before any legal proceedings are concluded.
Her remarks come on the heels of the Supreme Court’s recent discussions on implementing nationwide guidelines to prevent the demolition of properties belonging to those accused of crimes. The apex court underscored that even unauthorized constructions should only be demolished in accordance with legal procedures, emphasizing that the demolition of a property should not serve as a form of punishment.
The Supreme Court also clarified that this principle applies to properties of both accused and convicted individuals, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that justice is carried out within the legal framework, without endorsing unauthorized actions.
