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The Supreme Court ruled that the Prayagraj Development Authority’s demolition of six private homes was inhumane and illegal.
The court ordered the authorities to pay ₹10 lakh compensation to each affected homeowner for violating their fundamental right to shelter without following legal procedures.
The demolition, carried out in 2021, shocked the court as no proper notice was given; the notices were just affixed to the properties, not delivered in person or by registered post.
The court emphasized that the right to shelter is part of Article 21 of the Constitution, which protects the right to life and personal liberty.
The affected individuals had no chance to appeal because the demolitions happened shortly after the notices were sent.
Opposition parties criticized the BJP government, saying that demolishing homes causes emotional trauma that money can’t fix.
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