High Court Contempt Petition Withdrawn as Anti-Encroachment Drive Escalates in Mohali and Naya Gaon
In a pivotal legal development, the contempt petition filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court concerning illegal encroachments in Mohali has been dismissed as withdrawn. The case, presided over by Justice Alka Sarin, saw petitioner Manoj Vashishtha formally withdraw his writ on Thursday, providing significant relief to senior district officials, including representatives from GMADA, the Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and SSP.
Legal Proceedings and Withdrawal Details
The matter had been under judicial scrutiny since August 7, 2025, with multiple hearing dates, including January 13, culminating in its disposal on February 5. Advocate Kuljinder Singh Billing represented the case and executed the formal withdrawal of the petition. This legal resolution clears the path for continued enforcement actions against unauthorized constructions in the region.
Intensified Crackdown on Illegal Encroachments
Simultaneously, joint teams from the Municipal Corporation Mohali and GMADA launched a rigorous anti-encroachment drive on Thursday. In Phase 1, authorities cleared footpaths and road berms, demolishing ramps, iron grills, cemented platforms, and illegal parking extensions that had narrowed roads and obstructed vehicular movement. Residents were issued warnings against re-encroachment, with police deployed to ensure law and order during the operations.
The enforcement extended to Guru Nanak Market, where JCB machines were utilized to remove sheds, ramps, counters, rehri-phadi, and other materials from outside shops. Shopkeepers protested, citing insufficient time to relocate belongings and questioning compensation for losses. Despite a temporary halt in the morning, tensions escalated when the drive resumed around 1 pm, with officials emphasizing that compliance with High Court orders is mandatory and that public spaces must remain accessible.
Naya Gaon's Ecological Protection Efforts
In Naya Gaon, the anti-encroachment operation continued for a second consecutive day, focusing on the ecologically sensitive Kansal catchment area of Sukhna Lake. Supervised by MC officials, including the Executive Officer, AME, Sanitary Inspector, General Inspector, and field staff, with police support led by the SHO, illegal structures in floodplain zones were systematically removed. These zones are critical for maintaining natural drainage and safeguarding the lake's ecological health.
Officials noted that despite prior notices and warnings, persistent encroachments necessitated strict legal action. Unauthorized constructions were found to obstruct natural rainwater flow, heighten flood risks, and pose serious environmental threats. The administration reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the Sukhna Lake catchment, preserving drainage systems, and enforcing municipal and environmental laws in the public interest.
Official Statements and Future Actions
Commissioner Parminder Pal Singh Sandhu confirmed the petition's withdrawal and stated, "As per the directions of the hon'ble court, the action will continue until all encroachments in Mohali are completely cleared. The court wants the city to be fully free from encroachments." The anti-encroachment campaign, ongoing for nearly two months under High Court directives, will persist across the city, with warnings of strict legal consequences, including demolition, FIRs, and property cancellations for violations in protected areas like the Kansal catchment and along Patiala Ki Rao.
