NEW DELHI, Nov. 18 -- The Supreme Court of India, after an inordinate delay on Wednesday, 13 November, ruled that 'bulldozer justice,' the demolition of homes of those accused of crimes without due process, is unconstitutional and directed that government officials indulging in such "high-handed actions" be made accountable.

A division bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan has taken suo motu cognisance of demolitions of houses and properties belonging to families of accused, mostly Muslims, in many states, especially Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana. The bench ordered strict compliance with the Supreme Court's laid-down procedure for removing illegal structures.

The judges observ...