Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday pointed out that neither the prime minister nor the chief minister of any state has the right to demolish buildings of people accused in criminal cases without probe.
The chief minister was speaking about the incidents of violence in Karauli that started on April 2. Over 30 people were injured in the violence after a bike rally being carried out to mark the Hindu New Year was pelted with stones.
Gehlot said in other states where riots broke out, houses were demolished by governments.
Demoliton of structures in Khargone
In the Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh, the district administration demolished at least 50 “illegal” structures of people accused of pelting stones at a Ram Navami procession. The state government has also said damage caused to public and private properties during the violence will be recovered from rioters.
“Neither PM nor CM has a right as such where, without any investigation, such an action (demolition) can be taken. Only the law has the prerogative to do so, and it should take its own course, “the Rajasthan CM said.
He accused BJP MP Tejasvi Surya of trying to create further tension in the state. At the request of the BJP’s Rajasthan chief, Satish Poonia, and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) workers were stopped from visiting violence-hit Karauli town on Wednesday.
“The name is Tejasvi Surya, but look at why they came here. The incident in Karauli is unfortunate; I already said these people came to further provoke the situation. We were worried that Karauli-like incidents shouldn’t happen in other places, “he said.