The Punjab and Haryana High Court has raised concerns over the timing of a raid conducted by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) at the premises of Trident Limited, observing that the company’s apprehension of political vendetta appeared “reasonably palpable.”
A division bench led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry disposed of the petition while directing the pollution control authorities not to take coercive action without first granting the company 30 days to address any minor deficiencies.
Background of the Case
The matter arose after a raid was conducted on April 30, 2026, by officials of the PPCB at facilities linked to Trident Limited. The company approached the High Court seeking protection from coercive action and requested that seized samples be tested outside Punjab.
Trident argued that the inspection was politically motivated. According to the petition, the company’s Chairman Emeritus, Rajinder Gupta, had recently switched political allegiance from the Aam Aadmi Party to the Bharatiya Janata Party along with six Rajya Sabha members on April 24, 2026. The company claimed the raid followed soon after and was not driven by genuine environmental concerns.
On May 1, 2026, counsel appearing for the PPCB assured the court that no coercive steps would be taken until the matter was heard further.
During the hearing, the pollution control board relied on provisions under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Punjab Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Rules, 1977.
The Board argued that under Rule 32(6), prior notice could be bypassed in situations involving a likely grave environmental injury. It also pointed to emergency powers available under Section 32 of the Water Act.
However, the High Court said it was not inclined to examine the merits of the environmental allegations at this stage.
The bench instead focused on the sequence of events surrounding the raid. Referring to the close timing between Rajinder Gupta’s political switch and the PPCB action, the court observed,
“By applying the Wednesbury principle, the apprehension in the mind of the petitioner Company that the raid conducted by respondent No.2/Board on 30.04.2026 stems from political vendetta, appears reasonably palpable.”
The judges also noted that the Board had not demonstrated any emergency situation involving poisonous effluents or immediate environmental damage requiring urgent coercive intervention.
The High Court directed that the PPCB may proceed against the company only after giving it a reasonable opportunity of 30 days to rectify any minor deficiencies.
The bench further clarified that if coercive action is initiated under Section 33-A of the Water Act, the company would be free to approach the National Green Tribunal under Section 33(B)(c) of the Act. With these observations, the writ petition was disposed of.
Case Details:
Case Title: Trident Limited vs State of Punjab & Another
Case Number: CWP-13613-2026 (O&M)
Judges: Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry
Decision Date: May 8, 2026
