Guwahati, Sept. 16 -- The Gauhati High Court has raised questions over the legality of the Goalpara district administration's demolition of houses belonging to 73 families, observing at the preliminary stage that the action appeared to be "illegal and unauthorised".

The houses, situated on private agricultural land, were demolished on September 7, two days after the affected residents received notices from the local Circle Officer on September 5.

The notices gave the residents 24 hours to remove the structures and warned that failure to comply would invite action under the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886, and the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Following the notices, 21 residents moved the High Court, challenging the proposed de...