The tactic, in which state governments raze the homes and businesses of people as acts of retribution, has been on the rise in recent years.

India’s Supreme Court banned the use of so-called “bulldozer justice,” the government demolition of homes by state officials to punish those accused of crimes that activists said was a tactic predominantly used by Hindu nationalist authorities ...

India's Supreme Court has said that authorities cannot demolish homes merely because a person has been accused of a crime and has laid down strict guidelines for any such action.

India's Supreme Court released a ruling on Wednesday finding that the country's authorities cannot use demolition of properties as punishment for those accused or convicted of crimes. It set

India's Supreme Court has ruled that 'bulldozer justice' — instant demolitions mainly targeting Muslims for alleged crimes — is unconstitutional, rebuking authorities close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Cow slaughter is punished by seven years in jail in Madhya Pradesh, and the burden of proof is on the accused. Slaughter of the cow, which some Hindu people worship as a deity, and its progeny is banned in most of India as is the consumption of their meat.

India's Supreme Court has criticized states for demolishing properties of suspected criminals, a practice accused of targeting mostly Muslims. The court issued guidelines mandating due legal process.