India’s Supreme Court on Wednesday sharply criticized states that demolished the properties of suspected criminals, a practice that critics say mainly targets Muslim minorities, and issued guidelines for authorities.

The verdict came in response to numerous petitions filed after demolitions in states ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in recent years.

BJP governments in states have demolished what they see as illegal homes or shops of people accused of crimes, many of whom are Muslims, in what has become popularly known as “instant justice in the bulldoze.”

Rights groups and opposition parties have denounced the practice, saying it mainly targets poor Muslims while bypassing the legal process.

The BJP governments rejected the accusations and said these properties violated local laws and that the owners had been served with notices.

On Wednesday, two Supreme Court justices ruled that the state and its officials cannot take arbitrary action against suspects or convicts without following legal procedures.

It also established guidelines, including issuing advance notice and taking video of the demolition process.

“It is not a joyful sight to see women, children and elderly people dragged into the streets overnight. The sky would not fall on the authorities if they held their hands for a while,” he said. declared the court.

There was no immediate reaction to the BJP’s verdict.