In a stern rebuke, the Supreme Court has taken Patna Municipal Corporation and District Administration to task for demolishing properties despite a clear status quo order. The Court’s intervention follows the destruction of buildings built on what the petitioners claim to be private land, despite a judicial directive to halt any further demolition or construction.
The controversy began when the petitioners challenged eviction orders under the Bihar Public Land Encroachment Act, 1956. Initially, the High Court denied their pleas, prompting an appeal to the Supreme Court. On March 22, 2024, the Supreme Court issued interim orders instructing the maintenance of status quo on demolitions and further construction, pending a statutory appeal.
Despite this order, the demolition continued, leading to the Supreme Court’s sharp criticism. Justices Surya Kant and K.V. Vishwanathan noted that the demolition persisted beyond the Court’s directive and criticized the Patna authorities for their inaction and inadequate justification. The Court emphasized that any modification or vacation of the order should have been sought formally, rather than unilaterally disregarded.
In response, the Supreme Court has mandated that the State authorities compensate the petitioners for the demolished properties. This decision, intended to uphold the rule of law and address the blatant disregard for judicial instructions, requires the Chief Secretary to recover the compensation costs from the responsible Patna officials. The exact compensation amount will be determined by the High Court, ensuring accountability for the defiance of the interim order.
