Gurgaon Residents Stage Protest Over School's Attempt to Seize Green Area
Residents of Emaar Palm Gardens in Sector 83, Gurgaon, organized a significant protest on Monday, voicing strong opposition to repeated attempts by representatives of a local school to forcibly enter and take control of a 0.5-acre green area located near Tower 2. The situation escalated into tense confrontations as community members gathered to prevent unauthorized access to the disputed land.
Escalating Tensions and Legal Background
The green space has been embroiled in a legal dispute since 2021, with residents filing a civil suit to protect it as a community area. The conflict traces back to December 2020–January 2021, when the developer initiated digging on the site, claiming it was part of the primary school land. Following the residents' lawsuit, digging was halted, and the area was restored, though no interim stay was granted as no permanent construction occurred during proceedings.
Sunil Sharma, President of the Residents' Welfare Association (RWA), expressed deep concerns: "For the past several days, our community was under constant threat of forcible entry and intimidation. We are concerned about the safety of our residents, especially children and senior citizens, during these confrontations."
Recent Incidents and Police Complaints
Tensions have been building over recent days, with a similar incident occurring on February 5, when school representatives attempted to remove temporary demarcations and assert possession of the land. This prompted residents to file police complaints. On Monday, another attempt to enter the green area sparked fresh protests within the complex, highlighting the ongoing volatility of the situation.
Settlement Agreement and Contested Conveyance Deed
During the pendency of the lawsuit, the developer and school management entered into a settlement agreement. According to residents, this agreement explicitly stated that the 0.5-acre parcel would remain a green area for residents, with construction rights relinquished and no concrete or brick boundary wall erected. These conditions were to be incorporated into any future conveyance deed.
However, residents were recently informed that a conveyance deed was executed in July 2025 in favor of the school management, a document not disclosed earlier and filed before the court on February 7. Sharma added, "This deed was never disclosed to residents earlier, raising serious questions about transparency."
Developer's Response and Legal Status
In response to the allegations, a representative of Emaar India stated, "Emaar India is fully compliant with all legal and regulatory norms related to land ownership and transfer, and it upholds the highest standards of integrity and transparency across all its projects. The matter is currently sub judice before the competent judicial authority." The developer reaffirmed its commitment to ethical business conduct and adherence to the law.
Community Concerns and Future Proceedings
The RWA has described the situation as "volatile" in a letter to the chief minister, warning that it poses a threat to the safety of hundreds of families, including vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. The legal case remains pending before the District Court, with the next hearing scheduled for April 23, 2026, leaving residents in a state of uncertainty as they await a resolution.
