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.

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.

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has declared instant demolitions of accused individuals' homes as unconstitutional. The court emphasized the r

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 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