Guwahati, July 24 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to examine a contempt petition against the Assam government for allegedly defying its earlier orders during a demolition operation in the state's Goalpara district.

A bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran issued a notice to Assam's chief secretary and other officials, asking them to respond within two weeks.

Eight residents from Goalpara filed the petition, claiming the authorities carried out mass evictions and demolitions in June that displaced more than 667 families. According to the petitioners, officials did not provide residents with personal hearings or adequate time to appeal or seek judicial review before demolishing their homes.

Senior adv...