GURUGRAM: A pivotal development has emerged regarding the long-standing issues of illegal construction and the commercial misuse of residential properties in DLF 1 to 5.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has instructed the town and country planning department to gather objections from all plot and homeowners who received prior notices.
Affected homeowners have until December 31 to submit their objections or representations to the enforcement office, with no submissions accepted past this date.
With the case returning to the High Court, the town and country planning department is tasked with compiling objections and providing hearings for all affected homeowners. A status report is to be submitted to the court, which has allowed a 45-day period for completion. The next hearing is slated for January 15.
Amit Madholia, the district town planner (enforcement), emphasized, “Illegal construction and commercial activities breach the Haryana Development and Regulation Act. All actions will align strictly with court directives and will be transparently executed.”
Madholia has encouraged residents to review the lists carefully to confirm whether their properties fall under violation categories. He stated, “Residents must provide their name, address, contact number, and all relevant documents proving the legality of their construction. When submitting their reply, homeowners should include the approved building plan, occupation certificate, and recent photos of their property. These documents are critical for our fair assessment of each case.”
This High Court order follows the Supreme Court’s decision on October 28, which set aside an earlier ruling and remanded the case for a fresh hearing.
Acting on the High Court’s oral instructions from the November 26 hearing, the enforcement wing has disseminated a thorough public notice, which is now available on the official department website and has been published in major national newspapers. Madholia noted, “We have expedited this process following the High Court’s directives. The public notice has been widely distributed to ensure that no affected resident remains uninformed.”
According to this public notice, a comprehensive survey across DLF 1 to 5 identified violations in 4,183 plots and homes related to illegal construction and unauthorized commercial activities. This report was submitted to the High Court on January 22, 2025.
Moreover, inspection reports compiled between January 23 and April 4, 2025, have been uploaded on tcpharyana.gov.in, allowing residents to check the status of their properties online.
To date, the department has issued 2,111 restoration orders by March 31, which include recommendations for canceling occupation certificates, cutting off utilities, and initiating demolitions or sealings where necessary.
The Supreme Court previously halted enforcement actions after noting that many affected residents were neither heard nor included in the original proceedings, describing this as a violation of natural justice. The court has since nullified the previous High Court order, reinstated petitions, and instructed the state government to ensure widespread publicity so that all impacted individuals can present their case.
