Punjab and Haryana High Court Grants Interim Relief to Trident Group of Rajinder Gupta

Chandigarh, May 8: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has provided interim relief to the Trident Group, led by Rajinder Gupta, a member of the Rajya Sabha.

The court ruled that the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) must give the company a reasonable opportunity of 30 days to rectify any minor deficiencies before taking any punitive action against it.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice Shil Nagoo and Justice Sanjeev Bery, commented orally while disposing of the petition filed by the Trident Group. They noted that the PPCB failed to demonstrate the existence of a serious environmental emergency that would necessitate immediate punitive measures against the company.

The court stated that since the PPCB could not show any emergency situation where water bodies, wells, land, or the environment were being contaminated by toxic waste, it would be appropriate for them to allow the petitioner 30 days to address any shortcomings before proceeding with punitive action.

Furthermore, the court mentioned that if the PPCB initiates any punitive action, the company would be free to approach the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

This order follows an inspection of the company’s premises by the PPCB on April 30. The company alleged procedural violations, intimidation, and political targeting following changes in the political affiliations of its founder, Rajinder Gupta, while the PPCB denied these claims.

Senior advocate D.S. Patwalia, representing the PPCB, dismissed the allegations of vindictive action as “mere imagination” and argued that the petition was premature, as no adverse orders had yet been issued against the company.

The company contended that its industrial divisions possess valid environmental clearances and approvals. It also expressed concerns that the PPCB’s sudden actions raise serious suspicions of malicious intent.

The petition indicated that approximately 30 officials entered the premises on the evening of April 30, collected samples, and allegedly failed to follow the mandatory legal procedures stipulated under environmental laws.

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