Is Nuh demolition targeting a particular community, stop if not as per law: Punjab and Haryana HC

Pointing to reports that demolition orders and notices were not issued, the Division Bench of Justices G S Sandhawalia and Harpreet Kaur Jeewan said: “If any such demolition is to be carried out today, it should be stopped if the procedure is not followed as per law”.

Written by: Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

3 min readChandigarhUpdated: Aug 8, 2023 10:49 AM IST

Is Nuh demolition targeting a particular community, stop if not as per law: HC

The court asked the state to file an affidavit on number of buildings demolished. (File Photo)

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Is Nuh demolition targeting a particular community, stop if not as per law: Punjab and Haryana HC

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QUESTIONING THE demolition drive in Nuh following communal violence last week, the Punjab and Haryana High Court Monday asked whether properties of a “particular community” were targeted “under the guise of a law and order problem”, and an “exercise of ethnic cleansing” was being conducted.

Pointing to reports that demolition orders and notices were not issued, the Division Bench of Justices G S Sandhawalia and Harpreet Kaur Jeewan said: “If any such demolition is to be carried out today, it should be stopped if the procedure is not followed as per law”.

The court asked the state government to file an affidavit on how many buildings had been demolished, and if any notice was issued before demolition.

Taking suo motu cognizance of reports in The Indian Express and Times of India, the court said: “It has come to our notice that the State of Haryana is using force and is demolishing buildings on account of the fact that some riots have occurred in Gurugram and Nuh. Apparently, without any demolition orders and notices, the law and order problem is being used as a ruse to bring down buildings without following the procedure established by law. The issue also arises whether the buildings belonging to a particular community are being brought down under the guise of law and order problem and an exercise of ethnic cleansing is being conducted by the State.”

“We are of the considered opinion that the Constitution of India protects the citizens of this country and no demolitions as such can be done without following the procedure prescribed in law. Accordingly, we issue directions to the State of Haryana to furnish an affidavit as to how many buildings have been demolished in last two weeks, both in Nuh and Gurugram, and whether any notice was issued before demolition,” it said.

Citing the news reports, the court said: “The action is stated to be on account of the fact that the individuals involved in the anti-social activities had made illegal constructions… buildings next to the hospital in the form of commercial buildings, residential buildings, restaurants which were in existence for a long time have been brought down by bulldozers. The news item also says that the Home Minister himself has said that bulldozers are part of illaj (treatment) since the government is probing communal violence… Lord Acton has stated ‘power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely’.”

Setting the next hearing for August 11, the Bench appointed Advocate Kshitij Sharma as amicus curiae to assist the court.

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A PTI report quoted Nuh Deputy Commissioner Dhirender Khargata as saying: “I have ordered the officials to stop the drive against illegal construction.”

The district of Nuh saw communal violence on July 31, during a yatra organised by the VHP and Bajrang Dal. Six persons, including two home guards, were killed in the clashes.

The demolition drive began on August 3; residents have alleged that they did not receive prior notice. Many “unauthorised” shanties, temporary shops and some concrete structures have been razed.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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