High Court summons HSVP officials over Panchkula green belt contempt plea

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked senior officials of Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) to explain why notices are still being issued to remove green belts in front of houses in Panchkula, The Tribune reported on 11 June 2026.

The contempt petition

Advocates Sandeep Kotla, Padam Kant Dwivedi and three others say HSVP continued to issue notices and move towards demolishing or removing green belts despite an order of 21 September 2023. According to the petitioners, that order barred demolition without specific notices and a reasoned order passed after hearing the affected residents.

What the court did

Hearing the matter on 10 June, Justice Mandeep Pannu:

• added HSVP Chief Administrator Dr Chander Shekhar Khare and Estate Officer Surinder Lather as respondents;
• directed a responsible HSVP officer, not below the rank of competent authority, and an officer from the District Town Planner's office to appear on the next date;
• gave the state a final opportunity to file its reply, noting that none had been filed.

Notice to the new respondents was made returnable for 12 June 2026.

Why homeowners should follow this

Many Panchkula houses use the green strip in front of the plot as a lawn or parking area. Whether HSVP can clear these strips, and what process it must follow, affects thousands of owners. If you receive a notice, read it carefully, note the deadline and respond in writing; the 2023 order is about the process HSVP must follow, not a blanket protection. Take legal advice for your own case.