Desperate Plea for Justice: Assam’s Sonapur Residents Urgently Petition Supreme Court Over Heart-Wrenching Demolition Order Violation
More than 40 residents of Sonapur in Assam have approached the Supreme Court, alleging that local authorities have violated the court’s interim order from September 17, which prohibits demolition activities nationwide without prior permission. The petitioners, represented by advocate Adeel Ahmed, are seeking contempt proceedings against those responsible for the alleged breach.
The Supreme Court’s interim order, issued earlier this month, stipulates that no demolitions should take place until the next hearing, except for unauthorized structures in public spaces or where a court order mandates demolition. The petitioners claim that local authorities ignored this directive by initiating the eviction process.
Residents report that their homes were marked for demolition with red stickers without any formal notice. They have been residing in the Kachutoli Pathar, Kachutoli, and Kachutoli revenue village in the Kamrup Metro district for several decades. They hold the land through a Power of Attorney executed by the original landowners, although they do not possess ownership rights. Despite this, they assert that the Power of Attorney is legally valid.
The petition references a Gauhati High Court order from September 20, 2024, where the Advocate General assured that no action would be taken against the petitioners until their representations were reviewed, following the Supreme Court’s February 3, 2020 order. Despite this undertaking, authorities allegedly proceeded with the eviction markings without prior notice.
Residents emphasize that they have lived peacefully on the land for over seven to eight decades without any conflicts with neighboring tribal or protected communities. They also contest assertions that they are illegal occupiers, noting that they have occupied the land with the original landowners’ consent.
The case is scheduled for hearing on September 30 before a bench comprising justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan.
Original Story https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/assams-sonapur-residents-move-supreme-court-over-alleged-violation-of-demolition-order-1099526-2024-09-29?utm_source=rssfeed
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