September 30, 2024: The Supreme Court of India has issued a notice to the Assam government following a contempt petition filed by 47 residents from Sonapur. The petition alleges a willful violation of the Court's interim order issued on September 17, which mandated that no demolitions should occur without prior permission from the Court.

A bench consisting of Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan directed the Assam government to maintain the status quo, preventing any further demolitions while the matter is reviewed. The Court has requested a response from the state government within three weeks.

Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the petitioners, argued that the authorities' actions constituted an "egregious violation" of the Supreme Court's order. He highlighted that, shortly after the interim ruling, the petitioners' homes were marked for demolition without prior notification, with authorities alleging that the residents were encroachers.

The Supreme Court's earlier order, while prohibiting demolitions without permission, specified that it would not apply to encroachments on public roads, footpaths, railway lines, or water bodies. However, the petitioners contend that their properties do not fall into these categories.

Ahmadi also referenced a commitment made by the Advocate General of Assam in a separate order from the Gauhati High Court on September 20, which assured that no action would be taken against the petitioners until their representations were resolved. Despite this undertaking, the residents claim that demolition efforts continued unabated, prompting their contempt petition.