The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday reserved its verdict on the Punjab government’s plea seeking a review or modification of the court’s May 6 order directing the state to release an additional 4,500 cusecs of water to Haryana.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel heard arguments from both the Centre and the Haryana government, who opposed Punjab’s application.
The May 6 order of the High Court was based on a decision taken during a May 2 meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, in which senior Punjab officials were also present. The meeting had resolved that Punjab would release the additional water to Haryana to address an acute shortage.
During Monday’s proceedings, Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain, appearing for the Centre, argued that Punjab had neither complied with the court’s direction nor challenged it before the Supreme Court. He emphasized that there was no valid ground for review or modification of the May 6 order.
Jain also invoked the historical example of Bhai Kanahiya, a Sikh figure known for serving water to all wounded soldiers regardless of allegiance during a battle, urging Punjab to draw inspiration from such principles of impartiality and compassion.
Rebutting Punjab’s claim that the May 2 meeting was only about law and order and not water sharing, the ASG said that no objection was raised by Punjab’s representatives during the meeting, nor have they contested the recorded proceedings since.
The Centre further accused Punjab of attempting to “bully institutions” and failing to act in good faith.
The Haryana government, in its earlier submissions, described Punjab’s plea as “an abuse of the process of the Court” intended to evade contempt proceedings.
Punjab, on the other hand, has argued that the Union home secretary was not the appropriate authority to make decisions on inter-state water sharing and accused the Centre, Haryana, and the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) of concealing material facts during the May 2 meeting, which formed the basis of the May 6 court order.
The ongoing dispute underscores long-standing tensions between Punjab and Haryana over water distribution, particularly from the Bhakra Dam, with the Punjab government maintaining that Haryana has already consumed its full share.
The High Court is expected to pronounce its decision on the review plea in due course.
