‘Aur kitna sukhaoge Sukhna ko’: Completely on verge of destruction, says CJI on Chandigarh lake

The CJI said, “There are illegal constructions in collusion and connivance with bureaucrats there in Chandigarh, and some political entities in Punjab (and) the lake is completely on the verge of destruction”. He asked if the builder mafia was behind the litigation.

This is not the first time the CJI has expressed concern on the state of the lake and the litigation surrounding it.

In December 2025, hearing the Godavarman Thirumulpad matter, the CJI had expressed wonder as to why environmental issues like those concerning the Sukhna Lake, which can be dealt with at the level of the High Court, were being filed in the Supreme Court in the pending PIL.

Referring to the application in the Sukhna Lake matter, the CJI had said it seemed like a “friendly match” at the behest of some private developers and others.

CJI Kant had said the catchment area of the lake was systematically clogged due to collusion between politicians and real estate agents.

Pointing out that the lake was located very close to the Punjab and Haryana High Court premises, the CJI had said, “But we are taking away their power under Article 226 of the Constitution and listing it here (the SC).”

He had stated that though the HC was better equipped to deal with the issue, it held itself back the moment someone intimated it that the apex court was seized of the case.

The top court had asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, and amicus curiae senior advocate K Parmeswar to suggest how local issues can be left to the High Courts to deal with.

In 2020, the HC had declared Sukhna Lake as a “legal entity/legal person/juristic person/juridical person/moral person/artificial person for its survival, preservation and conservation having a distinct persona with corresponding rights, duties, and liabilities of a living person.” The court also directed demolition of all the structures in the catchment area and directed the Chandigarh administration to declare the lake a wetland.