New Delhi, August 1
In a partial relief to Chandigarh’s Forest Hill Resort and Country Club, allegedly built on forest land, the Supreme Court today allowed its members to play golf by imposing stringent conditions that neither any new member would be enrolled nor it would permit any commercial activity within the resort.

Granting an interim relief to the club during the pendency of the appeal, filed by its owner B.S. Sandhu against the Punjab and Haryana High Court order for demolishing all constructions within the disputed area, a Bench of Mr Justice Y.K. Sabharwal and Mr Justice G.P. Mathur said the permission was being granted as interim relief during the pendency of the appeal, hearing of which would be expedited.

The apex court, which had stayed the High Court order on December 6 last year, said while granting limited relief to the members to play golf, service of tea, coffee, snacks would be permitted to them and the club could run a kitchen and a restaurant for this purpose.

“The order shall not be construed to mean that permission has been granted by the court to have dinner, lunch or run a bar or have parties in the club,” the Court clarified.

Stating that today’s permission was given as an addition to the earlier order of December 6, permitting the club owner to maintain it.

When club’s counsel R.K. Jain said the members should also be allowed to take guests as in such clubs the world over outsiders were permitted, the Court said the fact that the club had come on forest land in “violation” of laws could not be overlooked.

The Court also permitted forest officials to inspect the area under the club’s possession from time to time against any further violation, saying there was no bar on their visit to the club.

While staying the High Court order, the apex court in its December last order had said that the club would maintain the trees and plantations on the 378 acres of disputed land in its possession, which included the golf course.

The High Court in its October 12 judgement, had ordered demolition of all the structures on the disputed land, while declaring the building of golf course as illegal.

Both Union Government and Punjab Government counsel today, submitted that the club had come on a land notified as forest area under the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900. A total of 3,700 acres of land in and round Chandigarh had been brought under forest cover by different notifications issued by the state government from time to time since 1914, the Punjab Government had said.

Chandigarh (TNS): Expressing elation over today’s decision of the supreme Court, allowing it to re-start operations, the management of Forest Hill Resort and Country Club, Karoran (Ropar), said it would begin operations within a day or two.