'Even A Layman Knows': Nagpur HC Slams NMC Officials Over 'Ignorance' Of Supreme Court’s Bulldozer Judgement

The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has criticized officials from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), including an IAS officer, for stating they were unaware of the Supreme Court’s November 13, 2024 guidelines on demolitions, known as the ‘bulldozer judgement’. The court found this explanation hard to accept, given that the ruling had extensive media coverage and was known even by laypeople.

A report from The Times of India revealed that the decision was delivered four months before a demolition notice was issued on March 31, 2025. The Supreme Court’s ruling mandates specific due process, including a minimum 15-day notice before demolition and an opportunity for affected parties to contest the action. When questioned, the NMC admitted compliance with existing laws but cited a lack of knowledge and absence of communication regarding the Supreme Court’s decision as reasons for the lapse.

The High Court expressed skepticism about this explanation, particularly since one of the officials was an IAS officer. The court also questioned NMC’s overall record of enforcement, noting its swift action in this case compared to delays in dealing with unauthorized constructions elsewhere in the city. The bench ordered the NMC officials to file separate affidavits by September 4, clarifying whether they maintain their earlier stance or would like to provide additional information.

The case involves properties partially demolished after the March 2025 Nagpur riots linked to protests over the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, highlighting the High Court’s scrutiny of NMC’s handling of demolitions in the wake of communal violence.