CJI Gavai says Bulldozer Action violates Rule of Law and Article 21

October 4, 2025

New Delhi: Chief Justice (CJI) B.R. Gavai said on Friday that the Indian judicial system operates under the rule of law and there is no place for bulldozer action. The CJI was speaking at the Sir Maurice Rolt Memorial Lecture 2025 in Mauritius.

He said that in a recent Supreme Court judgment, the court had made it clear that running a bulldozer against an accused is a subversion of the due process of law. The CJI said:

“The government cannot be judge, jury, and executioner all at once. Bulldozer rule violates Article 21 of the Constitution (the right to protection of life and personal liberty).”

Mauritius President Dharambir Gokhul, Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam and Chief Justice Rehana Mangli Gulbul were also present during the lecture.

Satisfaction in issuing orders against bulldozer action

Earlier, on September 24, CJI Gavai had said that he was deeply satisfied with the order against the bulldozer action. There was also a humanitarian aspect to this decision. A family cannot be harassed simply because a member is a criminal. Gavai said,

“Justice KV Vishwanathan was also on the bench with me. While most of the credit has been given to me, I would also like to say that Justice Vishwanathan deserves credit for writing this judgment.”

What did the Supreme Court order in November 2024

The Supreme Court delivered its verdict on bulldozer action in November 2024. The court stated that officers cannot become judges and should not decide who is guilty. The bench also stated that if a building is demolished without a 15-day notice, it will have to be rebuilt at the officer’s expense. The court also issued 15 guidelines.