Supreme Court Declares Prayagraj Bulldozer Demolitions Illegal, Orders Rs 10 Lakh Compensation:

In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court has declared the 2021 house demolitions in Prayagraj illegal and inhumane. The court directed the Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) to pay Rs 10 lakh each to five affected petitioners whose homes were razed under suspicion of links with gangster Atiq Ahmed.

Retired Professor Loses Rare Book Collection in Demolition

Ali Ahmed Fatmi, a retired professor from Allahabad University’s Urdu department, lost not only his home but also a lifetime collection of rare books. He recalled, “We were given a demolition notice on March 6, 2021, and the house was destroyed the next day. We couldn’t save anything.”

Fatmi said some students helped salvage a few books, but most were lost. “This loss is beyond repair,” he added. Following the demolition, Fatmi’s wife passed away due to the emotional distress, and he later developed heart disease.

Family Displaced: Daughter’s House Also Demolished

Fatmi had purchased a flat in Kareli post-retirement, which he gave to his daughter Nayla Fatmi after her home was also demolished. Now, they live together in that flat. “She built her house with great love and lived there only five years before it was destroyed,” he said.

Other Petitioners Share Their Struggles

Vijay Kumar Singh, another petitioner, lost his house just nine months after purchasing it. He said, “I had spent my life’s savings on that house. After demolition, I lived with relatives and later moved into a rented place.”

Singh now avoids the demolished site, saying it brings back painful memories.

“Dream House Destroyed in a Day,” Says Another Victim

Waqf Ansari described the demolition as the destruction of his family’s dream home. “We are not wealthy and can’t afford another house. We now live in a rented house,” he said emotionally after the court ruling.

What’s Next: Will Land Be Restored?

While the court has ordered financial compensation, many affected families now await clarity on whether they will regain their land or receive any further support.