The Madhya Pradesh High Court recently awarded compensation of Rs 1 lakh each to two persons whose houses were illegally demolished by Ujjain Municipal Corporation.
Justice Vivek Rusia observed that it has now become 'fashionable' for local bodies to demolish houses without complying with principles of natural justice.
"It has become fashionable now for local administration and local bodies to demolish any house by drawing up proceedings without complying with the principles of natural justice and publish it in the newspaper," the Court said.
The Court was hearing a plea by two individuals seeking compensation and disciplinary action against the municipal corporation officials and injunction from demolishing the remaining portion of their houses.
The first petitioner informed the Court that one house belonging to her and one belonging to her husband in Sandapani Nagar, Ujjain were demolished on December 13, 2022 without prior notice.
The second petitioner was served two notices and given only a day's time to reply before three of her houses in the same locality were demolished.
Advocate Rishi Tiwari for the corporation argued that the houses were raised in violation of the provisions of the Act as no building permission was obtained for the same. Hence, he contended that the demolition was justified.
