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 Supreme Court on Wednesday laid down pan-India guidelines to prevent arbitrary demolitions of properties in the country. The top court said it was not a happy sight to see women, children and ailing persons dragged to the streets overnight.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath (left) and former chief justice of India, Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, are seen at a function in Uttar Pradesh on Feb. 16. ‘Bulldozer justice’ in India was the brainchild of Yogi Adityanath. (Photo: AFP)

India's Supreme Court has ruled that 'bulldozer justice' — instant demolitions mainly targeting Muslims for alleged crimes — is unconstitutional, rebuking authorities close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Supreme Court refused to direct Centre to ban the messaging application WhatsApp for its refusal to comply with the new Information Technology Rules (IT Rules) in India.

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 ruling Hindu nationalist government is accused by rights groups and critics of ordering demolitions of properties belonging to Muslims as "punishment" following communal clashes or protests.India' s Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that the government cannot order the demolition of property belonging to people accused of crimes

The Supreme Court will decide on the issue of framing a pan-India guidelines to regulate “bulldozer” action by authorities.

The Supreme Court will announce guidelines for a national property demolition drive, known as 'bulldozer justice', on Wednesday. The bench has reserved the order after hearings on October 1