Bulldozer Action In Sambhal: Govt Reclaims Encroached Land Linked To SP MLA

The Yogi Adityanath government carried out a bulldozer action in Sambhal district, reclaiming 3.5 bighas of government land in Mandlai village. Officials allege that the land was encroached upon by Samajwadi Party MLA Nawab Iqbal Mahmood.

The disputed plot was part of a larger 123-bigha orchard registered under Mahmood and his sons, Faiz and Suhail Iqbal.'

The operation was led by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate with support from the police and teams of the Forest, Tubewell, and Revenue Departments.

Supreme Court's Concerns on Demolitions

The action comes against the backdrop of Supreme Court criticism of similar demolition drives in Uttar Pradesh.

Earlier this year, the court strongly objected to the Prayagraj demolitions, calling the government's approach "high-handed".

Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said such steps violate constitutional principles and warned that the executive cannot act as a judge by punishing people through demolitions.

The bench emphasised that due legal process must be followed, and arbitrary demolitions exceed government authority.

Bigger Debate

The latest bulldozer action in Sambhal adds to the ongoing national debate:

How can the state enforce law and reclaim encroached land without violating rights?

Where should the line be drawn between executive power and judicial oversight?

This tension between law enforcement and constitutional safeguards remains at the heart of the controversy.