Supreme Court Issues Notice To Assam Chief Secretary In Contempt Petition Over Demolitions In Goalpara District

The Supreme Court today (July 24) agreed to hear a contempt petition against the Chief Secretary of Assam Government and Goalpara district authorities for alleged illegal eviction and demolition of structures in violation of the Court's guidelines in In Re: Directions in the matter of Demolition of Structures

The bench of CJI BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran issued notice in the Civil Contempt Petition seeking action against Assam Government for alleged illegal demolition of houses, schools and shops in a village in Goalpara District. 

The contempt petition has been filed by residents of Hasila Beel Village, Goalpara, in Assam against the alleged illegal demolitions of houses, shops and structures within the area. 

It is the contention of the petitioners that they have been residing in the area for the past 50-60 years after their forefathers established settlements there. The petitioners are registered voters and are also holders of PAN and Aadhaar Cards. 

The plea states that the demolition occurred after the circle officer on June 13 issued the 'undated impugned notice' directing all the occupants in the concerned area to remove all houses, structures, shops, buildings and crops within two days. The area in question, as per the impugned circular, was "purportedly allotted to Assam Fisheries Development Corporation in the year 2015." 

The petitioners state that the eviction was done without serving any proper notice individually to the affected parties, and only through an announcement to vacate over a microphone was made. 

The plea also states that a few aggrieved persons moved the Gauhati High Court in a writ petition, while the Court issued notice in the matter, but it refused to grant any interim relief. 

Subsequent to which, the State Government, along with the Goalpara district administration, conducted a mass eviction and demolition drive in the said Hasila Beel revenue village area wherein the Petitioners have been residing, affecting over around 667 families, including those of the Petitioners."

The petition contends that the act of the authorities violated the Supreme Court's decision in In Re: Directions in the matter of Demolition of Structures v. and Ors where the Court laid down comprehensive guidelines to be followed by government authorities before demolition of structures. 

It further states that the authorities have demolished 5 primary schools thus violating Article 21A of the Constitution. 

The following reliefs have been sought : 

A) Initiate contempt proceedings and action against the Alleged Contemnors/Respondents herein for committing deliberate and willful violation and contempt of this Hon'ble Court's judgment dated 13/11/2024 passed in W.P.(C) No. 295 of 2022;

 B) Declare that the eviction and demolition conducted in Hasila Beel revenue village in Goalpara district is unconstitutional and in violation of the Hon'ble Court's judgment dated 13/11/2024 passed in W.P.(C) No. 295 of 2022;

C) Direct the Chief Secretary of Assam to file an affidavit explaining the steps taken to circulate and comply with the Supreme Court's Judgment dated 13/11/2024

D) Direct personal appearance of the officers responsible for the illegal eviction in Hasila Beel revenue village in Goalpara district, i.e the Alleged Contemnors/Respondents;

E) Direct interim relief by way of compensation, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of demolished houses, schools etc.

The plea was filed with the assistance of AOR Adeel Ahmed. 

Case Details : NUR NABI AND ORS. Versus RAVI KOTA AND ORS. Diary No. - 37759/2025