The Supreme Court of India on Monday permitted urgent mentioning before the Punjab and Haryana High Court regarding the ongoing Gurugram demolition drive.
A Bench comprising Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi requested Chief Justice Sheel Nagu to take up the matter either before 1 PM or at 1:45 PM.
During oral mentioning, Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan raised concerns about an ongoing demolition drive targeting “stilt plus four” buildings in Gurugram. He argued that despite the High Court’s direction to adhere to the existing policy, authorities had begun large-scale demolitions.
“Demolitions are set to commence in Gurgaon now. High Court had ruled an injunction that old policy should be adhered to with regard to stilt plus 4 buildings…but now authorities have directed that go to every street and demolish the structures. Trees are going, compound walls are falling. High Court never said demolition,” he submitted.
Sankaranarayanan further sought interim protection, urging the Court to maintain status quo for three days so the matter could be taken up before the High Court. He highlighted safety concerns, stating that demolitions were being carried out without notice and while residents, including children, were present outdoors.
However, CJI Kant observed that the structures in question were unauthorised and noted that the High Court was competent to examine the issue.
“These are unauthorised structures. High Court has the power to look into this,” he remarked.
The demolition drive is being conducted by the Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran, which has planned an anti-encroachment exercise across 44 sectors of Gurugram starting April 27. This follows an earlier five-day demolition drive carried out by the Department of Town and Country Planning.
The ongoing action is linked to the controversy surrounding Haryana’s “stilt-plus-four” building policy, which permits construction of four residential floors above stilt parking. In April 2026, the Punjab and Haryana High Court stayed the operation of this policy while hearing a batch of PILs, citing concerns over inadequate civic infrastructure such as roads, sewage, and drainage systems.
Following the stay, the Haryana government initiated a crackdown on unauthorised constructions and encroachments, including misuse of stilt areas and illegal extensions. Demolition activities began in areas such as DLF Phase 1, targeting boundary walls, ramps, kiosks, and other structures in licensed colonies.
However, residents and petitioners have contended that the High Court’s order merely stayed the policy and required adherence to existing norms, without directing large-scale demolitions.