Retired DSP moves Punjab and Haryana High Court against ‘arbitrary’ property tax hike

Less than a month after the Union Territory of Chandigarh issued a notification “arbitrarily” increasing property tax on residential and commercial properties, the move has come under judicial scanner with a petition filed in public interest seeking its quashing. Among other things, retired Deputy Superintendent of Police Vijay Pal Singh has contended that it was issued in violation of statutory provisions.

Challenging the notification dated March 31 by filing a public interest litigation (PIL), the petitioner through counsel Ferry Sofat and other advocates contended that it was arbitrary, ultra vires, and in derogation of the provisions of the Punjab Municipal Corporation (Extension to Chandigarh) Act, 1994.

The petitioner stated that the move to revise property tax was already rejected by the Municipal Corporation House in a meeting held on March 25, making the executive decision illegal and beyond powers.

He further submitted that the enhanced taxes were detrimental to public interest, particularly burdening the lower-income strata, and were violative of the right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution. The petition prayed for the issuance of a writ in the nature of certiorari for quashing the notification, along with a stay on its implementation, terming it contrary to public interest and against the principles of fairness and justice. The petition was yet to come up for hearing.