Anup Kumar and Others Vs Joint Development… — Writ and Judicial Review | Punjab & Haryana HC (2026)

Anup Kumar and Others Vs Joint Development… — Writ and Judicial Review | Punjab & Haryana HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Writ petition disposed of: order dated 20.03.2024 (Annexure P-14) set aside; matter remanded to respondent No.1-Joint Development Commissioner (IRD), Rural Development and Panchayat Department, Punjab, to decide afresh after hearing the parties in accordance with law; parties directed to appear before respondent No.1 on 27.04.2026 at 11.00 am; pending applications, if any, also stand disposed.

Issue for consideration

Whether the order dated 20.03.2024 (Annexure P-14) — which set aside the order dated 01.04.2016 (Annexure P-13) and held that the land in dispute vests in the Gram Panchayat — should be quashed. +1 more

Court's answer

In view of the statement made by learned counsel for the parties (who were ad idem), the order dated 20.03.2024 (Annexure P-14) is set aside and the matter is remanded to respondent No.1-Joint Development Commissioner (IRD), Rural Development and Panchayat Department, Punjab.

Ratio / Principle

The remand is expressly founded on the judgment of the Supreme Court in The State of Haryana vs. Jai Singh & Ors.; respondent No.1 is to decide the matter afresh after hearing the parties and in accordance with law.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Punjab & Haryana HC (Chandigarh), CWP-14772-2024 (O&M), decided 09.04.2026 — Anup Kumar v. Joint Development Commissioner (IRD) and Others. Writ petition under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India challenging the order dated 20.03.2024 (Annexure P-14) of respondent No.1, which had set aside the order dated 01.04.2016 (Annexure P-13) holding that the land in dispute vests in the Gram Panchayat. Learned counsel for the parties were ad idem that the order dated 20.03.2024 be set aside and the matter be remanded for a decision afresh in view of the Supreme Court judgment in The State of Haryana vs. Jai Singh & Ors. [2025 (4) RCR (Civil) 241]. Accepting that consensus, the Division Bench of Alka Sarin and Ramesh Chander Dimri, JJ. set aside the order dated 20.03.2024 and remanded the matter to respondent No.1-Joint Development Commissioner (IRD), Rural Development and Panchayat Department, Punjab, to decide afresh after hearing the parties and in accordance with law; parties directed to appear before respondent No.1 on 27.04.2026 at 11.00 am. Petition disposed of; pending applications, if any, also stand disposed.

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

CWP-14772-2024 (O&M) Date of Decision : 09.04.2026

Anup Kumar ... Petitioner

Versus

Joint Development Commissioner (IRD) and Others ... Respondents

CORAM : HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ALKA SARIN HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAMESH CHANDER DIMRI

Present : Mr. S.S. Salar, Advocate for the petitioner.

Ms. Mandeep Kaur, DAG Punjab for respondent Nos.1 and 2.

Mr. J.S. Bhandohal, Advocate for respondent No.3.

ALKA SARIN, J. (Oral)

Present writ petition has been filed by the petitioners under Article 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India for quashing the order dated 20.03.2024 (Annexure P-14) whereby the order dated 01.04.2016 (Annexure P-13) has been set aside by respondent No.1 holding that the land in dispute vests in the Gram Panchayat.

Learned counsel for the parties are ad idem that the order dated 20.03.2024 (Annexure P-14) be set aside and the matter be remanded to respondent No.1-Joint Development Commissioner (IRD) Rural Development and Panchayat Department, Punjab for a decision afresh in view of the judgment of the Supreme Court in The State of Haryana vs. Jai Singh

& Ors. [2025 (4) RCR (Civil) 241] .

JITENDER KUMAR 2026.04.10 10:11 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh

CWP-14772-2024

-2-

In view of the statement made by learned counsel for the parties, the order dated 20.03.2024 (Annexure P-14) is set aside and the matter is remanded to respondent No.1-Joint Development Commissioner (IRD) Rural Development and Panchayat Department, Punjab, who shall decide the matter afresh after hearing the parties and in accordance with the law.

The parties shall appear before respondent No.1-Joint Development Commissioner (IRD) Rural Development and Panchayat Department, Punjab on 27.04.2026 at 11.00 am .

Disposed off. Pending applications, if any, also stand disposed

off.

( ALKA SARIN ) JUDGE

09.04.2026 ( RAMESH CHANDER DIMRI ) jk JUDGE

NOTE: Whether speaking/non-speaking: Speaking Whether reportable: YES/NO

JITENDER KUMAR 2026.04.10 10:11 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh