StatesHaryana
Supreme Court halts Haryana's sealing drive in Gurugram's DLF colonies
More than 160 houses in DLF phases and other licensed colonies have been sealed for commercial use. The court has paused further action until it hears the case on 3 November.
Key points
- The Supreme Court stayed the Town and Country Planning department's enforcement drive in DLF Phases 1 to 5 and other licensed Gurugram colonies.
- The drive had already led to more than 160 houses being sealed.
- The case, Gaurav Kohli versus State of Haryana, will be heard next on 3 November.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday stopped the Haryana government’s drive against illegal construction and commercial activity in homes across Gurugram’s DLF Phases 1 to 5 and other licensed colonies.
A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe stayed the action by the state’s Town and Country Planning (TCP) department while hearing a special leave petition, Gaurav Kohli versus State of Haryana. The petition challenges a Punjab and Haryana High Court ruling on whether the TCP department has the power to take such action at all.
The drive, led by District Town Planner (Enforcement) Amit Madholia, had already led to more than 160 houses being sealed. Its teams had worked through DLF Phases 3 and 4, Sushant Lok-1 and South City-1, targeting homes being used for business.
What the stay means for owners whose properties are already sealed is not yet clear. It is also not clear whether the order halts only demolitions or all further action, including fresh sealing, until the next hearing.
The High Court has a related case on the commercial use of houses in DLF Phases 1 to 5, which it did not take up because the question of jurisdiction is now before the Supreme Court. That case is listed for 23 November. The Supreme Court will hear the matter on 3 November.