In a notable decision, the Punjab & Haryana High Court has ordered an interim relief for Trident Group, wherein Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) cannot attempt any coercive measure against Trident Group until May 4, 2026.
This important development comes after the recent raid conducted by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) officers at the Barnala plant of Trident Group in Punjab. While hearing the petition filed by the company, the High Court noted the assurance given by the PPCB that no action would be taken against the company, including no closure or sealing, until the next hearing.
The Trindent Group claims that the raid was politically motivated. This raid gained the spotlight because the owner of the company is Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, Rajinder Gupta had recently made a political shift from the Aam Admi Party to Bharatiya Janata Party on April 24.
According to the company, the raid conducted on its plant between April 29 and 30 included a number of PPCB officers acting without any prior intimation and hence the company alleged arbitrariness of the inspection.
However, PPCB denied any political motives in the inspection and further stated that no immediate action was intended.