Karnataka govt to review home minister’s ‘bulldozer justice’ remarks after P Chidambaram warns against emulating UP

However, his statement did not go well with the national leaders, as the Congress has been critical of “bulldozer justice” in several states ruled by the BJP.

Rajyasabha member P Chidambaram expressed his surprise over Parameshwara’s statement in a post on X. He said, “I am alarmed by the reported statement of Karnataka’s Home Minister that bulldozers may be used to demolish the homes of drug peddlers. I hope the report is wrong. The SC has declared the law: demolishing homes without due process of law is illegal and will violate the fundamental and human rights of other members of the family to a shelter.”

I am alarmed by the reported statement of Karnataka's Home Minister that bulldozers may be used to demolish the homes of drug peddlers

I hope the report is wrong

The SC has declared the law: demolishing homes without due process of law is illegal and will violate the…

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 12, 2025

“Besides, the Congress Party’s view is that ‘bulldozer justice’ as practised in U.P. is wrong, illegal and unjust. Let not a Congress-governed state like Karnataka go down the illegal path of U.P.”

Following Chidambaram’s statement on X, Parameshwara on Saturday said, “It is unfortunate. It is taken in the wrong sense. I didn’t mean that tomorrow itself I am going to send bulldozers and demolish the houses. That was not my intention. It was wrongly taken.”

Parameshwara’s remarks on drug cases

Responding to a question by MLC K Abdul Jabbar during the Winter Session of the Karnataka Legislature here, Parameshwara said that about 300 foreign nationals arrested for peddling drugs had been deported in the last two years.

“The production, sale, and consumption of narcotics are increasing day by day globally. The sale of narcotics has transformed into a highly profitable business for sellers. Interstate and international networks are operating for enormous profits. Since these networks are active in almost all countries worldwide, this drug problem has become universal,” Parameshwara said.

He said many foreign nationals were also part of the illegal business. “Some of the foreign nationals who were caught in drug peddling are happy to be caught, as it makes them stay on in India. We are ensuring they are being deported. However, it is tedious because embassies and consulates are involved in their deportation. We have deported about 300 foreign nationals.”

According to the Home Department, 4,168 drug cases were registered in 2024, of which 1,833 resulted in convictions. As of November 15, the number of cases has jumped to 5,747, with 1,079 convictions.

According to Bengaluru city police data shared in the first week of December, the capital city has reported 1,078 drug-related offences this year, with 1,543 arrests, including 52 foreign nationals, and 1,446.75 kg of drugs worth Rs 160 crore seized.