The High Court of Madhya Pradesh has granted major relief to residents of Badhiyatula village in Khandwa district by staying the demolition of 38 houses that were facing imminent bulldozer action. The interim order came after petitions were filed with the help of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), which intervened on behalf of affected families.
The village falls under Etwa tehsil in Khandwa district. According to officials, the demolition drive was initiated after a police case was registered involving allegations of cattle slaughter. Nine individuals were booked in the case, including the main accused, who was also charged under the National Security Act (NSA).
Demolition Follows Tensions and Highway Protest
The situation escalated after members of certain groups blocked the Mundi Highway on June 20, 2026, demanding strict action against those accused in the case. Soon after, the district administration carried out demolition of some allegedly unauthorized structures and issued notices to several villagers, triggering fear among residents of large-scale displacement.
Locals said the notices created panic in the village, as many families feared losing their homes without proper rehabilitation or legal process.
APCR Moves Court to Stop Bulldozer Action
Following the notices, affected families approached the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), which moved the High Court at Jabalpur seeking urgent relief. The court initially granted protection to four houses in the first round of petitions. Later, additional notices were issued to 47 more families, prompting fresh legal intervention.
After hearing the matter, the High Court extended interim protection to 34 more families, effectively stopping demolition orders against a total of 38 houses.
A lawyer representing the petitioners said, “The court has granted interim relief and stayed the demolition proceedings. The matter will be examined further in accordance with law.”
Court Emphasizes Due Process and Legal Rights
APCR stated that while criminal investigations must continue as per law, punitive demolition without proper judicial procedure violates constitutional protections. The organisation argued that demolishing homes cannot be used as a substitute for legal punishment.
In its statement, APCR said, “Demolition cannot become a form of collective punishment. Every action must follow due process under the Constitution.”
The petitions were argued by Senior Advocate Kabir Pal and Advocate Aryan Urmalia along with their legal team, who stressed that the affected residents were not all accused in the criminal case and deserved protection from arbitrary state action.
