Gurgaon: Punjab and Haryana high court has cleared the way for authorities to proceed with action in a large number of alleged building violation cases in the city.The HC has limited the scope of an earlier restraint order only to property owners who have been impleaded as parties in the ongoing litigation. The dispute relates to alleged unauthorised constructions, additional floors, excess coverage and commercial activities being carried out in residential properties in DLF-1 to 5.In an order passed on May 29, a bench, headed by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, clarified that the restraint order granted on Nov 26, 2025, would apply only to those additional respondents who have been impleaded in the pending writ petitions and not to others. The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 6.The clarification is significant as it enables the town and country planning department to examine further action in cases that are not covered by the protection granted by the court.District town planner (enforcement) Amit Madholia said, “Unauthorised constructions and commercial activities operating in residential areas are violations of the Haryana Development and Regulations of Urban Areas Act. The court orders have now been received. The latest order is being examined and further action, if any, would be taken in accordance with applicable laws and court directions.”The issue has been under scrutiny for several years through public interest litigation concerning enforcement of planning norms in the township.The latest order comes after the HC allowed multiple applications seeking impleadment by property owners who claimed they could be affected by any adverse orders in the matter. While allowing those applications, the court also directed that any impleaded respondents who have not yet filed their replies must do so before the next date of hearing, failing which their right to file a response would stand forfeited.Earlier, acting on directions issued by Supreme Court, the HC directed that affected property owners be given an opportunity to raise objections to alleged violations identified during surveys conducted by enforcement authorities. The court asked the district town planner (enforcement), Gurgaon, to consider objections and pass reasoned orders before undertaking corrective measures.The SC restored the PILs in Oct 2025 and held that persons likely to be affected should be afforded an opportunity of hearing before any determination regarding alleged violations was made. The apex court also permitted affected persons to approach the HC and directed that the matter be decided after hearing all concerned stakeholders.With the HC now restricting the benefit of the Nov 2025 restraint order to impleaded respondents alone, the focus is expected to shift to enforcement proceedings and compliance with planning regulations in cases not covered by the continuing protection.
