The Punjab and Haryana High Court directed a status quo on construction, possession, and transfer over 469 acres of land in Rajpura, Patiala, allegedly sold by M/s Shriram Industrial Enterprises Limited (SIEL Ltd) to SBP Group. The Court acted on a plea filed by farmers, the original landowners, challenging the sale as contrary to the terms of the original acquisition agreement.
The dispute arose from a 1993 MoU between the State of Punjab and SIEL for acquisition of 1,000 acres for industrial development. Land was handed to SIEL in phases between 1995 and 2007. The company developed only a small portion and reportedly sold 469 acres to a private developer in 2024, allegedly violating the original terms, which mandated the land’s industrial use.
The petitioners argued that the acquisition aimed to boost industrial growth and provide local employment. SIEL’s partial utilisation and subsequent sale, they contended, undermined the purpose of the acquisition and violated their rights as original landowners.
The Bench, comprising Justice Deepak Sibal and Justice Lapita Banerji, ordered, “In the meanwhile, status quo with regard to construction, possession, and alienation of the land…shall be maintained.”
The Court also directed the government and private respondents to file their responses by December 2, 2025, to examine whether the sale complied with the MoU and acquisition conditions.
The High Court restrained any construction, transfer, or possession of the 469 acres pending a detailed inquiry, safeguarding the land until the matter is decided on merits.
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