The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the chief officer and administrator of the Malvan Municipal Council in Maharashtra, responding to a contempt plea filed by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR). The petition challenges the demolition of a scrap shop and home belonging to Kitabulla Hamidulla Khan, allegedly carried out as punishment after his teenage son was accused of chanting anti-India slogans.
The incident took place on February 24, just a day after accusations surfaced against Khan’s 14-year-old son during an India-Pakistan cricket match. Khan’s plea claims that the demolition was politically motivated and executed without any prior notice. The petition argues that this act violates the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling from November 13, 2024, which prohibits demolitions without following due process.
According to Khan, the allegations are baseless. His petition states that his son was attacked by two men near a liquor shop while returning from a mosque, not involved in any sloganeering. Later that night, a mob gathered near their tin shed residence, assaulted the family, and vandalized their property.
Following the assault, local MLA Nilesh Rane reportedly pressured the municipal authorities to take swift action against the family. On the same day, the council razed Khan’s scrap shop and their one-room tin house, labeling them as “illegal structures.” The demolition also extended to his brother’s shop, allegedly for being a relative.
Khan claims that, despite many similar structures in the area, only his family’s properties were targeted. He further alleges that after the demolition, the site was looted, causing losses estimated at ₹15 lakh. He has sought compensation for the damages.
The APCR legal team, represented by Senior Advocate C.U. Singh, along with Advocates on Record Fauzia Shakeel and Ujjwal Singh, and advocates M. Huzaifa and Tasmiya Taleha, brought the case to the Supreme Court on March 19, 2025.
“This is a clear case of bulldozer justice, ignoring constitutional safeguards and Supreme Court orders,” APCR lawyers argued. The petition underscores growing concern over the use of demolition drives as punitive action against marginalized communities, despite the absence of legal validation.
On social media, MLA Rane posted his thanks to the Malvan Municipal Council and the local police for their “immediate action,” further fueling criticism of the demolition’s political motivations.
The Supreme Court has now sought a response from the civic authorities. The next hearing is scheduled for Monday. The case could set an important precedent, potentially curbing arbitrary demolitions and reaffirming the rule of law.
