With several state administrations flattening the houses of those involved in criminal cases with bulldozers, the Supreme Court on Monday questioned how can anybody’s house be demolished just because he is an accused. The court said it will lay down the guidelines on the issue that would be enforceable across the country.

“How can anybody’s house be demolished only because he is an accused? Even if he is a convict, still it can’t be done without following the procedure as prescribed by law,” a bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan said. The court, however, said it will not protect any unauthorised construction or encroachment on public roads.