- By Surarika Das
- Sat, 02 May 2026 05:04 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday recorded the Punjab government’s statement that no coercive action would be taken against Trident Group till Monday. The company filed a petition in the High Court alleging that the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) started unusual action against the factory soon after Rajinder Gupta left the Aam Admi Party.
According to the company authorities, Trident was established in 1990, is fully listed, employs approximately 15,000 people, and complies with all environmental standards. The petition stated that founder Rajinder Gupta, who is now out of active management and serves as chairman emeritus, switched political parties on April 24, 2026. Following this development, company management, key officials, and employees started receiving alleged threats.
What Did The Company Say
The company claimed that it sent a letter to the Union Home Secretary on April 25 seeking protection. It is alleged that at around 7:30 pm on Thursday, a team of approximately 30 members of the Punjab Pollution Control Board entered the factory premises and carried out a "raid-style" operation, restricting the movement of employees and not following the statutory procedure for sample collection.
As per the company officials, it was not provided any samples even as the mandate said so. The petitioner asked to get fresh samples tested by a central agency outside Punjab, as it lacked confidence in the state machinery. The Punjab company then requested a notice before taking any coercive action.
Additionally, the PPCB clarified to the court that it was merely a routine inspection, that no punitive or forced closure action was currently being proposed, and that the petition was based on apprehensions. They assured the court that no coercive action would be taken against the company until Monday.
Action Stayed Until 4
Taking the PPCB's statement on record, the division bench stayed any coercive action against the company until Monday. The court issued a formal notice and listed the matter for Monday. During the hearing, the court also indicated that if the industry's concerns were substantiated by facts, both the process and administrative fairness would come under judicial scrutiny.