On April 16, 2025, the Nagpur civic chief issued an unconditional apology to the Bombay High Court for the demolition of the home of Fahim Khan, an accused in the March 17 communal violence in Nagpur. The civic chief stated that the demolition occurred due to a lack of awareness about the Supreme Court’s directives prohibiting punitive demolitions without due process
The incident drew sharp criticism from the High Court, which labeled the civic body’s actions as “high-handed” and questioned the legality of the demolition, especially since it took place before the court could interveneThe court emphasized that the demolition violated Supreme Court guidelines that require sanctioned homes to be rebuilt if unlawfully demolished
Fahim Khan, identified as a key figure in the March 17 riots that resulted in over 30 injuries, was charged with sedition and is currently in custody . Following the demolition of his residence, the High Court halted further demolitions of properties linked to other accused individuals, citing concerns over due process and the rights of property owners .
The court has directed the Maharashtra government to respond to the matter by April 15, underscoring the importance of adhering to legal protocols and safeguarding constitutional rights, even in cases involving serious allegations .
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