60 houses of 'history-sheeters' razed in Gujarat

RAJKOT: Authorities in Gujarat's Rajkot Monday pulled down over 60 properties linked to 38 "history-sheeters", describing them as unauthorised as they stood on govt land.

The demolitions came over seven months after SC last Nov imposed a pan-India ban on "bulldozer justice". The court held that such demolition of a citizen's house without following due process of law, merely because he is a suspect or even a convict, will be "totally unconstitutional".

SC had laid down elaborate procedure for razing illegal structures, including a 15-day notice sent by post and pasted on outer walls of such houses. The court held that govt could not breach a family's right to shelter only because one of its members is accused of a heinous crime.

In Rajkot, police said the occupants had been served two notices a month ago. Most of accused whose homes were pulled down faced cases of murder, theft and prohibition violations. "We vacated 2,610sq m of govt land valued at Rs 6.52 crore," DCP (Zone II) Jagdish Bangarwa said.

Other officials stressed the action was part of a larger ongoing drive against such illegal structures. Gujarat home minister Harsh Sanghavi reaffirmed the govt's commitment to action against those who occupied govt land and engaged in crimes. "State govt and police have clear resolution that if anyone commits a crime and occupies state land, we will not let it happen... All places in Rajkot that have been a hub for illegal activities will be demolished," said Sanghavi.