Punjab Floods | If We Pass An Order, Energy Of State Will Be Diverted In Filing Reply: High Court On PIL Seeking Relief For Victims

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has refused to pass any orders as of now, on a PIL seeking directions to both the States for immediately providing minimum standards of relief and rehabilitation to flood victims under Section 12 of the Disaster Management Act, including food, potable water, sanitation, shelter, lighting, medical care etc.

Division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Yashvir Singh Rathor orally remarked,

"The moment we pass an order, their energy will be diverted from helping to filing reply…let them help. They will pull out an officer and he will be sitting on the desk and filing reply instead of working for the flood victims.”

The Court further said that, the plea lacks material particulars and directed the petitioner to “provide better particulars.”

During the hearing, the petitioner's counsel submitted that the State is duty bound to rehabilitate the victims but at ground level relief has not been provided to the flood victims.

Referring to news reports, the petitioner stated that over 29 lives are lost.

To this, the Chief Justice said, “that by itself doesn't show that government machinery is not working…Disaster management must be doing its job.”

Shubham, a lawyer by profession had moved the High Court through Advocate Angrej Singh in the wake of devastating floods between 25.08.2025 and 29.08.2025 that “severely impacted Punjab and adjoining areas of Haryana, affecting thousands of lives and properties.”

He prayed for the constitution of a Court-monitored Oversight Committee to supervise implementation and file periodic reports. 

The plea also sought directions to the Punjab Government to conduct a special girdawari of all affected villages and disburse compensation to agriculturists, households, small traders and livestock owners in a time-bound manner.

It sought directions to the Union Government together with NDMA, CWC, BBMB, IMD to activate and disclose Emergency Action Plans for Pong and Bhakra reservoirs under the Dam Safety Act, 2021.

Title: Shubham v State of Punjab & Ors.