The Uttar Pradesh government has apprised the Supreme Court that the demolition carried out on private properties in the state were done strictly in accordance with the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act, 1972.
The state government had filed an affidavit in the Apex Court, in reply to a petition filed by the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, alleging that the Kanpur Development Authority and the Prayagraj Development Authority had carried out illegal demolition in the state, in the wake of violent protests over remarks on Prophet Mohammed.
The UP government alleged that the petitioner had attempted to give a “mala fide” colour to lawful action taken by the local development authorities, as per the procedure established by law, by cherry-picking one-sided media reporting of a few incidents.
It further said the demolitions have been carried out by statutory autonomous bodies, which are independent of the state administration, as per law, as part of their routine effort against unauthorised/illegal constructions, in accordance with the 1972 Act.
While referring to two demolitions carried out in Kanpur, the state government said the house owners had themselves admitted that there were illegalities in construction.
The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind had accused some state officials of saying that the demolitions targeted those allegedly involved in the protests.