HC reserves verdict on Trident plea against PPCB action

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana high court on Monday reserved its judgment on a petition filed by Trident Limited seeking protection from any coercive action pursuant to the April 30 inspection by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) at its Barnala-based factory.Rajya Sabha MP Rajinder Gupta, founder and chairman emeritus of Trident Limited, had switched from AAP to the BJP on April 24. The company has alleged that the inspection was conducted in violation of prescribed procedures and was politically motivated. It claimed that the action followed soon after Gupta switched allegiance from the AAP to the BJP and his entire security cover was also withdrawn. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry observed on Monday that while the timing of the PPCB inspection may raise apprehensions, any action must strictly follow due process. The petitioner company's counsel argued that mandatory sampling norms were not adhered to by the PPCB during the inspection of the premises. However, PPCB's counsel dismissed the allegations as baseless, maintaining that the inspection was routine and carried out as per law. The court was also informed that the PPCB has till now not taken any action against the company and therefore the petition was immature.