In Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district, several residents voluntarily demolished parts of their properties after the state’s Public Works Department (PWD) declared them illegal, fearing the use of bulldozers. The PWD had issued notices to 23 establishments, of which 20 were Muslim-owned.

The PWD conducted inspections in the Maharajganj area on October 18, measuring 20-25 houses, including the residence of Abdul Hamid, one of the accused in the murder of Ram Gopal Mishra. The notices were issued under the Road Control Act 1964.

The Allahabad High Court on October 20 extended the deadline for residents served with demolition notices along the Kundasar-Mahasi-Nanpara-Maharajganj road, giving them 15 more days to respond. The court set October 23 as the next hearing date.

The Civil Rights Association filed a petition, arguing that the Uttar Pradesh government’s demolition notices were issued illegally and violated recent Supreme Court rulings restricting the use of bulldozers for demolitions, except under specific conditions.

This follows communal tensions in Bahraich, where Mishra, 22, died of a gunshot wound on October 13 during a clash over music played during a procession. On October 18, Uttar Pradesh police arrested 26 additional suspects in connection with the violence, bringing the total number of arrests to 87, according to authorities.

With contributions from PTI