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Punjab and Haryana High Court issues notice as 961 trees uprooted in Mohali; Society says land is private property

The Housing Society contended that the private property formed part of a residential colony declared by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA).

3 min readChandigarhUpdated: Feb 24, 2026 05:39 PM IST

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday issued notice on an application alleging that 961 fully grown trees were being cut in Sector 69, Mohali, on land owned by the Working Friends Cooperative House Building Society,

The court said the matter would be heard along with the main public interest litigation (PIL) on March 5.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry was hearing a civil miscellaneous application filed in a pending PIL concerning green cover in Mohali.

Counsel for the applicant submitted that when the PIL was taken up on February 17, the trees were intact, but felling allegedly began the next day. He told the court that heavy earth-moving machines were seen at the site on February 18 and that photographs and videos had been placed on record. The plea sought maintenance of status quo till the disposal of the PIL, alleging that grass cover and water bodies in the area had also been cleared.

On being asked by the Bench to identify the location, the counsel referred to a map annexed with the petition and said the green patch in Sector 69 was being cut.

He claimed the land appeared to have been sold to private builders, though he said he was not aware who exactly was carrying out the felling.

Appearing for the society, senior advocate Puneet Bali opposed the application, contending that the land was private property forming part of a residential colony declared by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA).

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He submitted that plots had been allotted after Sector 69 was developed and that the land acquisition proceedings initiated earlier had ultimately been quashed by the Supreme Court on technical grounds relating to compensation deposit.

The counsel maintained that the land had been in the society’s ownership since 1992, as reflected in the jamabandi entries, and had nothing to do with forest land or forest conservation.

He further told the court that many members of the Society were now in their 80s and had been waiting for over three decades to build on their plots. Construction activity had only recently commenced, he said, adding that the petition was factually incorrect and deserved dismissal with costs.

After hearing the parties, the Bench directed the issuance of notice and granted time for filing of replies, particularly by GMADA and the society. The court said the application would be taken up along with the main PIL on March 5.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

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