The Supreme Court on Thursday took serious note of reports that over 40 trees were cut in Karnal, Haryana, allegedly to build a new road giving direct access to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) local office. The bench, comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan, issued notices to multiple state authorities and ordered “status quo” on further development at the site.
“The court cannot overlook the felling of trees under the garb of development,” the bench remarked, expressing concern over what it called a “disturbing pattern” of environmental disregard in urban planning projects.
Background
The controversy began when retired Army officer Col. Davinder Singh Rajput filed a petition challenging the Haryana government’s decision to carve a road through a green belt in Sector 9, Karnal. He alleged that the land between two residential plots was allotted to the BJP to build a party office and that authorities had cleared a substantial part of the green zone without public consultation or justification.
Earlier, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had dismissed Rajput’s plea, noting that the land allotment was done through proper procedure and after obtaining the necessary clearances. The High Court accepted the state’s argument that the road was needed to reduce traffic congestion on the nearby GT Road.
However, the petitioner insisted that the “traffic argument” was just a smokescreen and that the trees over 40 of them had been felled purely for political convenience. He claimed that the so-called development violated both environmental guidelines and residents’ rights to a clean and peaceful neighborhood.
Court’s Observations
During the hearing, the Supreme Court bench appeared visibly dissatisfied with the explanations provided so far. “We would like to know under what circumstances these trees were felled,” Justice Pardiwala said. “And what has been done with the trees that were cut? Development cannot mean destruction of public greenery.”
The court also made it clear that it would not tolerate any further activity at the site. “If any further development is undertaken from now onwards, we shall take a very strict view of the matter,” the bench warned.
The justices questioned whether the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) the agency responsible for urban planning had acted independently or under external influence. To ensure accountability, the bench directed the HSVP’s Chief Administrator to appear personally before the court with all records related to the project.
Notices were also issued to the Haryana Department of Forest, the Karnal Municipal Corporation, and the BJP, asking them to file detailed responses.
Decision
Concluding the hearing, the Supreme Court ordered that no further work or road construction take place in the disputed green belt until the next hearing on November 26. The bench’s order for maintaining “status quo” effectively freezes any ongoing activity near the BJP office site.
“The Chief Administrator shall remain personally present before this Court with the entire record,” the bench ordered, underscoring its intention to hold individuals not just departments accountable.
As things stand, the apex court’s intervention has momentarily saved what’s left of the green stretch in Karnal. Whether it remains that way will depend on what the state authorities disclose in the next hearing.
Case: Col. Davinder Singh Rajput v. State of Haryana & Ors.
Case Type: Special Leave Petition (Civil) Diary No. 46157/2025
Petitioner’s Claim: Authorities unlawfully carved a road through a green belt for political convenience, violating environmental norms and residents’ rights.
Respondents: State of Haryana, Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), Department of Forest, Karnal Municipal Corporation, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Next Hearing Date: November 26, 2025.