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Chandigarh: A controversy over the proposed construction of a temple inside a residential complex in Zirakpur has snowballed into a major legal and community dispute, with the Punjab and Haryana High Court stepping in and directing authorities to inspect the site and submit reports.

The dispute pertains to Maya Garden City, a prominent residential society in Zirakpur, where a section of residents has objected to the construction of a temple allegedly being raised in a common parking and recreational area without obtaining the mandatory approvals from competent authorities.

The issue has sharply divided residents and sparked intense debate within the housing society, with allegations of procedural violations, misuse of common areas and internal politics coming to the fore.

Residents challenge construction

The opposition to the proposed religious structure is being led by several residents, including Bhupender Singh, Ramit Narwal, Nagender Verma, Rahul Kamboj, Vikas Baweja and Ravinder Kaushal, who contend that the construction is illegal and violates the rights of residents who jointly own and use the common facilities within the township.

According to the complainants, the proposed temple is being built near Tower G-5 and an adjoining yoga park on land earmarked as a common area and parking space for residents.

The residents have alleged that neither the developer nor the Residential Welfare Association (RWA) possesses the necessary permissions, sanctioned building plans or statutory approvals required for such a construction.

Petition filed in High Court

The legal challenge has been initiated by Bhupender Singh, a resident of Flat No. 903, Tower G-5, who approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court through a civil writ petition (CWP No. 15346 of 2026).

The petition names the State of Punjab, Municipal Council Zirakpur, Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) and the Residential Welfare Association of Maya Garden City as respondents.

In his plea, the petitioner has alleged that the construction violates multiple statutory provisions, including:

• Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act (PAPRA)
• Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA)
• Municipal laws and building regulations
• Approved layout and zoning norms governing common areas

The petitioner has further argued that common spaces within a residential society cannot be converted into religious or commercial structures without due approval and consent of all stakeholders.

Authorities accused of inaction

The petition also alleges administrative inaction despite repeated representations.

According to court records, the petitioner had served a legal notice on the Estate Officer of the Municipal Council, Zirakpur, on March 23, 2026, seeking immediate intervention and demolition of the alleged unauthorised construction.

However, no action was reportedly initiated by the concerned authorities, prompting the petitioner to seek judicial intervention.

High Court orders inspection

Taking cognisance of the matter, a Division Bench comprising Justice Suvir Sehgal and Justice Vikas Suri issued a notice of motion on May 18, 2026.

The court directed the official respondents, including local civic and planning authorities, to conduct a site inspection of the disputed location and place their findings on record through affidavits before the next hearing.

The matter is now listed for further consideration on July 7, 2026.

In a subsequent hearing on miscellaneous applications filed in the same case, the High Court, on May 25, issued additional notices to the concerned parties and fixed May 29 for further proceedings.

Leaked audio triggers fresh controversy

Meanwhile, the dispute has taken a political turn within the society after an alleged audio clip involving Gurjeet Singh Sidhu, president of the Residential Welfare Association, surfaced on social media.

The purported recording, which has gone viral among residents, allegedly suggests a contradiction between Sidhu’s public and private positions regarding the temple project.

According to residents opposing the construction, the audio indicates that while the RWA president publicly supports the temple proposal, he privately harbours reservations about it and views the issue through the prism of internal electoral politics within the society.

Some residents claim the temple issue is being used to consolidate support among specific voter groups ahead of future RWA elections.

However, no independent verification of the audio clip’s authenticity has been made, and no official response from Sidhu was immediately available.

Society divided

The controversy has exposed deep divisions within the residential complex.

Supporters of the temple argue that the structure would serve the spiritual needs of residents and strengthen community bonding.

Opponents, however, maintain that the issue is not about religion but about legality, urban planning norms and protection of common facilities meant for all residents.

They argue that allowing construction in designated parking and common-use areas could set a dangerous precedent and lead to further encroachments.

July hearing likely to be crucial.

With the High Court now seized of the matter and official inspections underway, the future of the proposed temple will likely depend on the findings submitted by municipal and planning authorities.

The July 7 hearing is expected to be crucial in determining whether the construction can continue or whether corrective action, including demolition, may be ordered if violations are established. Until then, the temple construction row remains one of the most closely watched residential disputes in the Zirakpur-Mohali region.