France, April 21 -- India's top court on Thursday put the brakes on state bulldozers tearing down walls and shops in Delhi after petitioners alleged they were targeted for Hindu-Muslim religious riots.

A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court put on hold the demolition ordered by the capital's elected municipality, run by India's ruling Hindu nationalist BJP party.

The court ordered a two-week halt following a petition by the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind organisation of Islamic scholars.

"A new bulldozer procession has been taken out. Muslims are undergoing collective punishment," said federal Muslim lawmaker Asaduddin Owaisi, a vocal critic of the BJP.

On Wednesday, police-backed bulldozers tore down walls and shops of both Hindus and Muslims i...