High Court Reserves Verdict On Plea Against Punjab's Action On Company Owned By MP Who Switched From AAP To BJP

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday reserved its judgement on a petition moved by Trident Limited for a stay on any coercive steps against it in connection with a recent alleged raid by Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) on its factory in Punjab's Barnala.

It was alleged by Trident Limited that PPCB raided the factory after owner of the Company— MP Rajinder Gupta, left the Aam Aadmi Party to join the Bharatiya Janata Party.

A bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry said it will ask PPCB to act only in accordance with law after following the due process.

The petitioner submitted that under the statutory protocol, samples are required to be taken by the authority in triplicate— one for the industry, one for the Board, and one for testing, but alleged that this procedure was not followed.

It was further stated that employees were not allowed free movement during the inspection and that a handwritten report was obtained late at night, which was signed “under protest.”

The petitioner apprehended that adverse test results would be used to initiate coercive steps, including closure directions and disconnection of electricity

Senior advocate Munisha Gandhi submitted that the action was triggered not by environmental non-compliance, but by a change in the political allegiance.

Appearing for PPCB, senior advocate D S Patwalia rejected allegations of vendetta as “a figment of imagination”, insisting the action was a routine inspection under statutory powers.

During the course of hearing the bench remarked, “The timing is such that it gives an apprehension in your mind, no doubt about that.”

Stating that action, if taken, must conform to law and due process, the bench reserved its decision.

Senior Advocate General Maninderjit Singh Bedi represented the State.