The alleged unauthorised carving of plots on the land earmarked for drainage purposes in Hoshiarpur district has come under the judicial scanner. Taking up a petition filed in public interest, a division bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has made it clear that the state may obtain instructions in the matter by August 3 — the next date of hearing in the case.

The matter was placed the division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor after the PIL was filed against the state of Punjab and other respondents by Surjit Chawla. Advocate Satpreet Grewal Kapila appeared before the bench on the petitioner’s behalf, while Punjab was represented by law officer Samdisha Kaur. The bench was also assisted in the matter by counsel Arun Khurmi.

“Grievance is that unauthorised carving of plots on the land earmarked for drainage purposes is being allowed in district Hoshiarpur. The state counsel may obtain instructions in this regard by the next date of hearing,” the bench asserted before parting with the order.