Raipur
The Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee has criticised the state government for using bulldozers to demolish the house of a rape accused, alleging the move is an attempt to mask administrative failures.
Sushil Anand Shukla, chairman of the state Congress communication department, said the demolition proves the administration is unable to maintain law and order. He stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is resorting to extra-constitutional measures because it has lost control over criminals.
“Law and order in the state has deteriorated since the BJP took office. The government is failing to prevent crimes such as loot, murder, and stabbings. Women feel unsafe as the state records eight rapes every day,” Shukla said.
The Congress leader noted that while the government discusses changes like the commissionerate system or carries out demolitions, it lacks a concrete plan to improve security.
Referring to the specific case involving the rape of a minor, Shukla termed it a heinous crime. He demanded a trial in a fast-track court and sought the death penalty for the accused to create a deterrent.
“Punishing a rape accused and removing illegal encroachments are two different matters. Linking them is a failed attempt by the administration to hide its inability to stop crime. If the construction was illegal, why did the authorities wait for a crime to be committed before taking action?” Shukla asked.
He further questioned the legality of punishing an entire family for the crime of one individual. Citing the Supreme Court’s recent observations on ‘bulldozer justice‘, Shukla reminded the administration that the apex court has termed such actions a symbol of lawlessness.
He pointed out that the Supreme Court’s guidelines require a 15-day notice and a proper hearing before any demolition. He asked whether the state authorities followed these legal procedures before deploying the machinery.
