Faridkot, July 22: A local court in Faridkot on Tuesday stayed the proposed demolition of a house allegedly connected to a drug peddling case, restraining the police and civil administration from taking any coercive action against the property. The interim relief was granted after the mother of the alleged offender moved the court, asserting her legal ownership and accusing the authorities of selective targeting.
The demolition notice, dated July 18, had been issued by the Municipal Council, Faridkot, for a residence situated in Bazigar Basti, as part of an ongoing crackdown on suspected drug peddlers and illegal constructions. The civil and police administration had launched a drive against what they termed “unlawfully constructed properties” linked to the drug trade.
However, the petitioner—mother of the alleged drug offender—told the court that she had legally purchased the property with her lifelong savings and provided documentation to prove her claim. She owns two adjoining residential units and submitted relevant property records, including a possession deed (Likht Makhbooja) and a Rainbasera certificate.
In her plea, she alleged that the authorities were acting in a discriminatory manner, choosing to target her house while ignoring several similarly built structures in the same area. She contended that the move violated her constitutional rights under Articles 14 and 21, which guarantee equality before the law and protection against arbitrary state action.
The woman also described an unannounced police visit on July 17, during which officers allegedly took photographs of her home without any explanation. At the time, only her daughter-in-law and 10-month-old grandson were present, raising concerns over safety and privacy.
The court, in its interim order, directed the authorities not to proceed with any demolition “illegally, forcibly and without due course of law” until further hearings are held in the matter.
The petitioner has also approached the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, the Punjab State SC Commission, and the Punjab State Human Rights Commission, alleging a “gross miscarriage of justice” and urging a thorough investigation.
The case is expected to come up for further hearing in the coming days.
