The tactic, in which state governments raze the homes and businesses of people as acts of retribution, has been on the rise in recent years.

The court has passed strong directions against arbitrary demolitions but also carved out a significant exception.

Highlighting the importance of public officials being held accountable, the Supreme Court laid down guidelines to curb illegal demolition of the homes of persons accused in criminal cases. Here are the details.

The Supreme Court has put a halt to the controversial practice of bulldozer justice, issuing a landmark ruling that sets strict guidelines for demolitions in India. A two-judge bench led by Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan laid down norms that must be followed by all states when carrying out demolitions.

The apex court said that no property of the accused should be demolished without a prior show cause notice and the affected must be given at least 15 days to respond.

India's Supreme Court has said that authorities cannot demolish homes merely because a person has been accused of a crime and has laid down strict guidelines for any such action. The ruling comes in response to a number of petitions seeking action against authorities using demolition as a punitive measure against those accused or convicted of crimes.

India's Supreme Court has warned state authorities that bulldozing illegally constructed homes in an "arbitrary pick and choose" way is an abuse of their powers.

India's Supreme Court released a ruling on Wednesday finding that the country's authorities cannot use demolition of properties as punishment for those accused or convicted of crimes. It set