Gurugram Demolition Row: Supreme Court Declines Plea, Directs Petitioners to High Court

New Delhi- The Supreme Court of India on Monday declined to hear a petition challenging the ongoing demolition drive in Gurugram, advising the petitioners to seek relief from the Punjab and Haryana High Court instead.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi, disposed of the plea while granting liberty to the petitioners to urgently mention the matter before the High Court.

The bench also requested the High Court to consider hearing the matter promptly, suggesting that it be taken up either early in the afternoon or immediately after the lunch break.

During the hearing, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing the petitioners, argued that local authorities were carrying out demolitions without issuing proper show-cause notices. He alleged that officials were misinterpreting an earlier interim order of the High Court to justify the action.

However, the Supreme Court observed that if there were concerns about misinterpretation of the High Court’s directions, the appropriate forum for redressal would be the same court.

The apex court further noted that it should not interfere if the High Court, in discharge of its constitutional responsibilities, is acting to curb or regulate unauthorised constructions.

The controversy stems from an interim order passed earlier this month by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which stayed the Haryana government’s “stilt-plus-four floors” policy. The policy had allowed construction of four residential floors above stilt parking, raising concerns about safety and regulatory compliance.

Following the High Court’s order, authorities in Gurugram launched a demolition drive targeting alleged unauthorised constructions and encroachments across the city.

Petitioners have claimed that many of the structures being demolished are legal and that residents were not given adequate notice before action was taken.

The matter is now expected to be taken up by the High Court, which will examine the legality of the demolition drive and the concerns raised by affected residents.