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93-year-old activist leads challenge against Punjab’s liberalised building rules

The petition alleges infrastructure collapse and safety risks under new 2025 regime

3 min readChandigarhDec 24, 2025 10:30 AM IST

Justice Grewal recused himself during the proceedings, and the matter will now be assigned to another bench. (Express Photo)

A double-judge bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court headed by Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal recused itself from hearing a writ petition filed by senior citizens of Sangrur that sought to quash the Punjab Unified Building Rules, 2025, notified by the state government on December 15.

The petition, filed on December 18, was led by Harbinder Singh Sekhon (aged 93 years), a long-time resident and activist from Sangrur, along with other locals. It contends that the new rules were unconstitutional, ultra vires, arbitrary and environmentally unsustainable, challenging Notification No. G.S.R. 195 dated December 15 that established a uniform statewide building code overriding existing municipal bye-laws, Master Plans and statutory frameworks.

Represented by advocate Shehbaz Thind, the petitioners argued that the rules allowed sweeping liberalisation of construction norms, such as increased Floor Area Ratio, stilt-plus-four-floor structures on narrow roads, unregulated commercial use in residential areas, relaxed fire-safety standards and a self-certification system lacking statutory authority.

In the synopsis, the petitioners stated: “The impugned rules amount to an impermissible attempt to impose a uniform, state-wide building code across all municipal jurisdictions, thereby overriding the distinct statutory regimes under the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Act, 1995, the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911, the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, PAPRA 1995 and the Punjab Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Act, 2004.”

They alleged violations of Articles 14, 21, 48-A, 51-A(g) and Part IX-A of the Constitution, claiming the rules disregarded overburdened infrastructure, narrow lanes, poor waste management and inadequate fire-safety provisions in Punjab’s towns.

The petition particularly highlights Sangrur’s struggles, noting the absence of a designated dumping ground, reliance on temporary private land for waste disposal, recurrent garbage fires and toxic emissions. The petitioners had submitted representations since 2023, including detailed objections to the draft rules on August 21, and communications to the Chief Minister decrying civic breakdown.

The petitioners also raise concerns over procedural flaws, including a Real Estate Advisory Committee dominated by developers without input from residents or experts, and alleged conflicts of interest involving a Senior Town Planner.

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The petitioners are seeking quashing of the rules, an interim halt to approvals under them and directives for infrastructure upgrades in water supply, sewage, fire safety and roads before further densification.

Justice Grewal recused himself during the proceedings, and the matter will now be assigned to another bench.

The notified rules, aimed at simplifying approvals and allowing stilt-plus-four floors in new areas with self-certification for lower-risk buildings, have faced criticism from activists who warned of potential urban chaos without matching infrastructure growth.

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