Instant wrong doing

• Arbitrariness and bias in law enforcement have undermined India’s rule of law.
• High-handedness by the state often threatens citizens’ rights and dignity.
• Custodial torture and extrajudicial killings are reported frequently.
• Police and civic authorities resort to property demolition as a convenient and extra-legal form of punishment.
• The Supreme Court of India’s strong remarks against this practice offer hope.
• The court ordered the payment of ₹10 lakh as compensation to each house owner.
• The court reiterated the basic principles of the rule of law, including no punishment without trial, no collective punishment, and presumed innocence until proven guilty.
• The practice has spread to other states, including Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states and the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab.
• The Supreme Court must ensure its orders are implemented consistently and throughout India.