HC: Evict unauthorised occupants from BBMB property in 30 days

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday set a deadline of 30 days for executing long-pending eviction warrants against unauthorised occupants of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) property, making it clear that the warrants—already valid till December 31—must now be given effect without further delay.

Acting on BBMB’s grievance that the state authorities had not been assisting in implementing eviction orders passed under the Public Premises Act, 1971, the Bench directed that the state must extend full police assistance once the BBMB files a formal request. The court recorded the state counsel’s statement that all necessary assistance would be provided if the BBMB submitted its application within one week.

The Bench headed by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu observed that the premises had been under illegal occupation for 23 years. Describing it as an “extremely sorry state of affairs”, it asked the BBMB what they were doing for the last so many years.

The Bench also took note of the BBMB’s contention that dispute was pending regarding the real ownership of the premises.

The matter arises from eviction proceedings initiated by the Estate Officer under the 1971 Act.

The eviction warrants/authority letters were issued on May 7 to all unauthorised occupants. Noting BBMB’s submission that “no assistance has been given” by Punjab’s field functionaries in executing judicial orders despite valid warrants, the court emphasised that the eviction process—affirmed by the High Court earlier—must now be implemented in full.