Himanta Biswa Sarma stands firm on demolition drive amid Supreme Court notice

Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam, stated that the government will respond to the Supreme Court's notice regarding the demolition drive. 

He asserted that the work being carried out is entirely correct.

On the Supreme Court issuing notice to the Assam government over the demolition drive, he says, "We will respond to it. Whatever work we are doing is 100% correct."

The Supreme Court issued the notice to the Assam government concerning the ongoing demolition activities. 

Sarma maintained that the actions taken by the government are justified and in accordance with the law.

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the State of Assam in response to a contempt petition filed by 47 citizens. 

Also Read: Supreme Court issues notice to Assam government on plea against Sonapur demolition drive

The petitioners alleged a wilful violation of the court's interim order dated September 17, 2024, which mandated that no demolition could take place nationwide without the court's prior approval.

A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan ruled that the parties should maintain the status quo in the interim. 

The notice is expected to be returned within three weeks.

Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the petitioners, argued that there had been a "severe breach of the Court's order." She claimed that Assamese officials had marked the petitioners' homes for demolition without prior notice, despite the court's directive.

The Supreme Court's interim ruling on September 17 explicitly stated that no demolition may occur nationwide without its approval. However, the order did not cover encroachments on public roads, sidewalks, railway tracks, or water bodies.

The petitioners initiated the contempt action soon after, stating that Assamese officials had ignored the court's ruling and marked their homes for demolition on the grounds that they were encroachers. Ahmadi reported that demolitions had already begun and requested an order to maintain the status quo.