CHANDIGARH, Feb 25: A developer’s request to cut 67 trees for the construction of a marriage hall met with sharp questioning from the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday. During the proceedings, the Bench led by Chief Justice Nagu asked the petitioner to define the priority between commercial infrastructure and environmental protection.
The case involves a challenge to a December 2025 judicial order that suspended tree-felling across the State of Punjab. The developer’s legal representative declared that the project was in a state of financial urgency, with an inauguration date set for February 28.
The counsel affirmed that the petitioner had already fulfilled legal requirements by depositing nearly ₹7 lakh for afforestation before the court issued its stay order. He argued that the 67 trees were standing in the way of a project funded by a ₹2 crore loan.
“I have to start… as per the sanction letter I am required to commence my business operations on February 28, 2026,” the counsel stated. He further noted that failing to meet this deadline could lead to the business being classified as a Non-Performing Asset (NPA).
While the developer pleaded for a hearing the following day to avoid financial ruin, the court remained focused on the broader implications for the state’s ecology. The Bench maintained that the developer must justify why a marriage hall should take precedence over the existing environmental protections. The case remains pending for a future listing.
