New Delhi, Aug. 12 -- The Supreme Court on Wednesday said authorities may have a "twin responsibility" where they seek to demolish illegal structures to enforce the law, to also consider rehabilitation of affected families who would be rendered shelterless.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was hearing a plea filed by the Centre for Law and Good Governance, a non-political organisation, seeking directions to the Centre, States and Union Territories to frame a uniform policy for dealing with long-standing unauthorised constructions and provide rehabilitation to persons affected by their demolition.

The Court ultimately disposed of the plea, granting liberty to the petitioner to forward...