The Supreme Court on Thursday took cognizance of a contempt petition filed against senior Assam government officials for allegedly defying court directions during a demolition drive in Goalpara district.

A bench led by Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran issued notices to the Assam Chief Secretary and other officials involved, instructing them to file their responses within two weeks.

The petition alleges that the demolition and eviction operations conducted in June adversely affected more than 667 families in the district.