Supreme Court Fast-Tracks Hearing on Haryana’s S+4 Policy | Prime8Legal

On July 30, 2025, the Supreme Court of India disposed of a Special Leave Petition challenging Haryana’s “S+4” (stilt + four floors) residential policy, permitting the petitioner—Sunil Singh, a Gurgaon resident—to seek interim relief before the Punjab & Haryana High Court. The Court directed the HC to consider the plea expeditiously, potentially advancing the hearing from the originally scheduled October 30 date to August.

This decision has sparked intense debate across Gurgaon, Delhi NCR, and Haryana, with legal and policy implications for urban development, infrastructure planning, and citizen welfare.

LEGAL ANALYSIS

Background of the S+4 Policy

• Issued via notification on July 2, 2024, Haryana’s S+4 policy permits buildings with a stilt (for parking) plus four floors in residential neighborhoods.

• The state touts it as a solution to housing demands and efficient land use. However, critics argue that it disproportionately favours developers while failing to upgrade civic infrastructure—like water supply, sewage systems, roads, and drainage.

  
  

Arguments & Relief Sought

• Sunil Singh’s petition points to the absence of infrastructure readiness and seeks:

  1. A stay on new S+4 approvals;

  2. A halt on occupancy certificates for ongoing projects;

  3. Appointment of an independent oversight committee, ideally chaired by a retired SC judge, to monitor implementation.

• The Punjab & Haryana HC had earlier declined interim relief. The SC has now allowed Singh to re-approach the HC with urgency.

  
  

Supreme Court’s Directive

• By granting liberty to seek an expedited hearing in the HC, the Supreme Court emphasized the public importance of this matter.

• The bench, led by Justices BV Nagarathna and KV Viswanathan, underscored that delaying judicial review could cause irreversible harm to infrastructure and citizens.

PRACTICAL IMPACT

For Gurgaon Residents & RWAs

• If injunctions are granted: new S+4 approvals may pause, relieving pressure on civic services.

• Residents may gain more planning transparency and civic accountability through an oversight mechanism.

For Builders & Developers

• Projects may stall while awaiting judicial outcomes.

• Added compliance steps may be required—potentially including infrastructure tie-ups or civic obligations.

For Policy Makers and Urban Planners

• The case underscores the importance of prior infrastructure assessment and responsible urban densification.

• This is an opportunity to model future policy with sustainable urban design, balancing housing needs with civic readiness.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

This case resonates primarily across Gurgaon, Delhi NCR, and Haryana. It also reflects wider urban development challenges faced by rapidly growing Indian cities. The interplay between policy decisions and municipal infrastructure in urban sprawl areas is central to governance models across India.

Have questions about property norms, building approvals, or interim reliefs in your city? Contact Prime8Legal—we guide individuals and developers navigating emerging urban law scenarios in Delhi NCR and beyond.

FAQs

What is the S+4 policy?

It permits buildings with a stilt and four above-ground floors on residential plots, issued on July 2, 2024.

Who filed the challenge and why?

Sunil Singh from Gurgaon challenged it, citing inadequate civic infrastructure and seeking halts on new approvals and occupancy certificates.

What did the Supreme Court decide?

It disposed of the SLP, allowed Singh to approach the HC again, and urged an early hearing—possibly in August instead of October.

What can be expected next?

The HC hearing will determine whether interim relief is granted, which could pause approvals and reshape urban policy.

How might this affect Gurgaon’s urban growth?

If upheld, it may slow unchecked densification and enforce better civic planning for future developments.