The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday reserved its decision on a petition moved by Trident Limited for a stay on any coercive steps against it in connection with a recent raid by Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) on its factory in Dhaula village of Barnala district.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry took note of Trident's apprehension that PPCB raided the factory only after Member of Parliament (MP) Rajinder Gupta, who owns the company, left the Aam Aadmi Party to join the Bharatiya Janata Party.
"The timing is such that it gives an apprehension in your mind... there is no doubt about that. Timing is such that it gives an apprehension in your mind that it may be motivated by political vendetta but then we will take care of it," the Court remarked before it reserved its decision on Trident's plea.
The Court said that it will ask PPCB to act only in accordance with law after affording due opportunity of hearing.
However, Senior Advocate Munisha Gandhi, appearing for Trident, said the samples taken during the raid under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 at the company factory were not collected in accordance with the procedure.
Gandhi urged the Court to direct a joint inspection of the factory by the officials of the PPCB and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). She referred to the withdrawal of Gupta's security as well as that of another MP Harbhajan Singh.
"As far back as 25th of March, 2026, in every single parameter, I am within norms. What has happened in one month, other than the fact that there is a political allegiance change," Gandhi submitted.
She said the company apprehends disconnection of its electricity on account of political vendetta.
Senior Advocate DS Patwalia, appearing for PPCB, said that in the last six months, the board has conducted 450 such inspections.
"Today only an inspection has been carried out. There is no adverse order against the petitioner," Patwalia said, adding that the writ petition was premature at this stage.
Patwalia added that the petition was not maintainable as a remedy can be availed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Advocate General Maninderjit Singh Bedi represented the State.