New Delhi, Dec. 23 -- The Supreme Court on Monday took a stern view against unauthorised constructions, cautioning courts against allowing violators to walk free merely because municipal rules permit compounding of illegal structures on payment of fees.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and justice Joymalya Bagchi said the correct course in such cases was demolition of illegal constructions, along with recovery of demolition costs and imposition of exemplary penalties on offenders.

"If we allow a petition like this, people will encroach upon even public roads and premises while citing some rule that it is compoundable and dragging the authorities in courts for decades," observed the bench, refusing to entertain a plea...