In Raipur, the Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC) demolished the illegal house and adjoining shop of Abdul Sajjhad Ansari, a 55-year-old man accused of raping a nine-year-old girl earlier this month. The action, carried out on 21 January 2026 under heavy police deployment, followed multiple notices over alleged encroachment on government land and was justified by civic officials as enforcement of civic laws.

Supporters welcomed the decisive move as a message against heinous crime and unlawful constructions, while critics including the state opposition condemned it as “bulldozer justice” that risks bypassing legal safeguards. The incident has intensified nationwide debate over symptom-side justice versus due process and the broader challenges of combating sexual violence and illegal structures.

Illegal Construction Claim Drives Demolition

Raipur Municipal Corporation authorities, led by Mayor Meenal Choubey, said the demolition was strictly administrative and not punitive, rooted in enforcement of rules against encroachments and unlawful construction on government land near Jhanda Chowk and Raja Talab in the Pandri area of Raipur.

Officials stated that three notices were issued earlier, asking Ansari to produce property documents and to remove encroachments, but these were ignored, leaving the civic body with no option but to clear the land.

According to official accounts, the demolition site included the accused’s home and shop, as well as two other structures on about 700 square feet of government land that were also unauthorised.

Municipal workers, police and administration teams were present throughout the operation to preserve public safety and prevent unrest. Mayor Choubey later shared photographs of the action on social media, emphasising the need to uphold civic norms and restore public land.

Police confirmed that Ansari was arrested on 11 January by Civil Lines police for allegedly sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl repeatedly between 7 and 11 January, allegedly luring her with snacks and sweets before assaulting her at his home.

The girl’s family filed a complaint after discovering her in pain on the morning of 12 January; she later recounted the ordeal to relatives. Subsequent investigation led to charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other sections of the Indian Penal Code, and Ansari was placed in judicial custody.

Bulldozer Justice Versus Due Process

The demolition drew immediate political reactions, exposing deep differences in interpreting the move. The Chhattisgarh Congress criticised the RMC’s action, with state party leaders arguing that demolishing a property of someone merely accused of a crime before trial and conviction amounted to extrajudicial punishment.

State Congress communication head Sushil Anand Shukla alleged that the BJP-led government was deploying bulldozer actions to divert attention from what it claimed were lapses in law and order, rather than focusing on substantive crime prevention. He described the demolition as symbolic and warned that it could undermine faith in due legal processes.

Senior Congress leader Deepak Baij echoed similar views, questioning whether property destruction could truly reduce crime, and pushed the government to address systemic issues like rising incidents of rape and other violent crimes instead of prioritising high-profile actions.

BJP legislators defended the demolition, asserting that the civic action was within legal boundaries and expressing disappointment at the opposition’s stance, suggesting political motives behind the criticism.

Public reactions have been mixed. Some residents welcomed the demolition as a strong signal that unlawful structures won’t be tolerated and that serious crimes against children should provoke robust civic responses. Others cautioned that linking criminal accusation with civic demolition might set a dangerous precedent, potentially entangling administrative enforcement with criminal adjudication before courts have delivered verdicts.

City crime statistics released by Raipur police show a rise in reported violent offences in recent years, including rape cases, assaults, murders and stabbing incidents, which community activists say heightens public desire for swift action against offenders. At the same time, civil liberties advocates emphasise that justice systems must protect the rights of all individuals including those accused until guilt is proven.

Broader Trends and Child Safety Concerns

This incident in Raipur is part of a broader pattern observed in several Indian states where civic authorities have, in high-profile cases, demolished properties of individuals connected to serious alleged crimes.

While officials often justify such actions on grounds of encroachment, safety or civic law violations, human rights groups warn that linking these actions with criminality before convictions can blur legal boundaries and fuel extrajudicial narratives.

Child safety activists in Raipur and beyond have expressed that the brutality of crimes against minors demands serious attention and structural prevention, including education, community vigilance, timely police action and effective rehabilitation and not solely punitive spectacle.

They argue that demolitions may reflect political theatre rather than effective crime-control strategy. Conversely, some residents see swift action even symbolic as necessary to restore confidence after shocking crimes, particularly when legal processes are perceived as slow or ineffective.

Legal experts note that while municipal bodies have the authority to remove encroachments and illegal constructions, due process principles require that administrative actions are separate from criminal adjudication and must strictly comply with statutory procedures, including opportunities for appeal.

Failing to distinguish between civic enforcement and criminal punishment can jeopardise both legal clarity and citizens’ trust in institutions.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

At The Logical Indian, we stand for justice that is not only firm but also fair, anchored in both rule of law and human dignity. Crime against children is rightly condemned, and society has every right to demand swift action, strong deterrence and robust protection for vulnerable populations.

At the same time, civic and administrative measures must remain transparent, proportionate, and independent of ongoing criminal proceedings. Upholding constitutional values including due process and equality before law is essential to preserving public trust and fostering a community where justice is neither symbolic nor selective.