Supreme Court Stays High Court’s Demolition Orders in Punjab and Haryana

New Delhi : In a major relief to hundreds of residents in Gurugram’s upscale DLF Phases 1 to 5, the Supreme Court on Friday temporarily stayed the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s directive ordering the demolition of unauthorised constructions and the sealing of commercial establishments in the residential zones. The stay will be in effect for four weeks, granting interim protection to the affected residents who had approached the apex court seeking relief.

A bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna passed the order staying the High Court’s directions, which were scheduled to be implemented starting today. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier taken serious note of alleged unauthorised constructions, illegal alterations in residential structures, and rampant commercial activities in the DLF colonies. It had directed the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP), Haryana, to take strict action, including demolitions and sealing operations.

Today’s intervention by the Supreme Court came just in time, as the DTCP had planned to launch its demolition drive in line with the High Court’s order. Officials were reportedly prepared to take swift action against identified violations, including commercial establishments running in residential buildings, encroachments, and structures not in accordance with the sanctioned building plans.

The petitioners, mainly residents and property owners from DLF Phases 1 to 5, argued that they were not given adequate opportunity to present their side before the High Court’s sweeping order was passed. They also contended that many of the alleged violations were either minor or long-standing practices that had gone unchecked by the authorities for years.

While granting the stay, the Supreme Court noted the urgency of the matter and agreed to examine whether due process had been followed by the High Court in issuing such a wide-reaching demolition directive. The apex court directed the matter to be listed after four weeks for further hearing and allowed the petitioners to file additional documents, if necessary.

The decision brings temporary relief but also puts a spotlight on the larger issue of urban planning violations and lax enforcement in rapidly developing regions like Gurugram.