When the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) formed the government in Punjab in 2022, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and then Panchayat Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal quickly launched an aggressive campaign targeting unauthorised land occupations. Holding several press conferences in the hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh, they publicly alleged that several influential political leaders from Punjab were in illegal possession of vast stretches of land. They promised to reclaim this property for the state and ensure legal action against those responsible.
True to their word, the AAP government initiated a state-wide drive to identify and remove encroachments on government land, especially panchayat lands. Under the leadership of Minister Dhaliwal, more than 9,000 acres of panchayat land were reclaimed during 2022 and 2023. One significant action included the retrieval of 176 acres of illegally occupied land in Mohali’s Fatehgarh block, reportedly worth over ₹260 crore. These efforts were seen as a direct attack on the so-called land mafia and a bold move toward restoring public assets.
To complement the crackdown on encroachment, the Mann government introduced a “voluntary” land pooling policy covering 27 cities. Under this policy, the government would develop infrastructure on pooled land and return a portion of it to the original landowners in a developed form, often quadrupling its market value. Farmers were also promised annual compensation of ₹30,000 per acre during the development period. The policy aimed to reduce reliance on forceful land acquisition and curb the rise of unauthorized colonies across Punjab.
However, this reform has not been without resistance. In areas like Ludhiana, the proposed land pooling under GLADA sparked strong protests from farmers, opposition parties, and civil society groups. The Shiromani Akali Dal led street protests, while Congress leaders and farmer unions alleged that the policy was a disguised land grab targeting rural communities. In some villages, locals accused the authorities of attempting to seize land without proper documentation or fair consultation.
Despite these challenges, the Punjab government insists that the land pooling scheme is entirely voluntary and focused on sustainable development. While thousands of acres have already been reclaimed and some parts of the policy are being implemented, particularly in cities like Mohali, no high-profile arrests or prosecutions have been made against political leaders alleged to have encroached upon land. The focus, so far, remains on systemic reform, land recovery, and development planning.
In conclusion, the AAP government’s land reclamation and pooling efforts represent one of the most ambitious attempts to overhaul land governance in Punjab. With a mix of public support and political resistance, the campaign’s ultimate success will depend on continued transparency, legal follow-through, and responsiveness to genuine concerns raised by farmers and residents.
High-Profile Land Targets: Siswan Farm of Capt. Amarinder Singh and Sukhvilas Resort of Sukhbir Badal
Among the most prominent targets of land scrutiny and public interest during the AAP government’s anti-encroachment campaign were the Siswan farmhouse of former Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh and the luxury Sukhvilas resort owned by Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal. These properties, located in the environmentally sensitive areas near the Siswan forest and foothills of Shivaliks, came under the spotlight during press conferences held by CM Bhagwant Mann and then Panchayat Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal in 2022.
Regarding Capt. Amarinder Singh’s farmhouse, it was reported that he had purchased nearly six acres of land in Siswan village near Mohali back in 2018, where he developed a farmhouse and planted trees. This acquisition drew criticism from opposition parties who questioned whether the land was too close to protected forest zones governed by the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA). Capt. Amarinder, however, clarified that the land in question had already been de-notified from the PLPA’s purview in 2011 and that all purchases and constructions were made in accordance with existing laws. In 2022, the AAP government reclaimed about 29 acres of panchayat land from the Siswan and Abhipur areas. While this did not directly implicate Amarinder Singh’s farmhouse, the recovered land was in close proximity to his estate.
The situation surrounding the Sukhvilas resort was more contentious. The luxurious property, managed by the Oberoi Group and owned by the Badal family, came under serious scrutiny by the Mann government. Allegations emerged that the resort was constructed in violation of eco-tourism norms, particularly that it covered more than 25 acres—well beyond the allowed 2.5 acres—and included a basement, which is prohibited in such environmentally sensitive zones. Additionally, the AAP government disclosed that during the SAD-BJP regime, the resort had been granted tax exemptions worth over ₹108 crore. This included waivers on GST, VAT, luxury tax, electricity duty, and even road construction worth ₹4.13 crore using public funds.
In response, the AAP administration announced that it was seeking legal advice from the Punjab Advocate General and intended to explore avenues for recovering the lost revenue. The government also signaled that it would investigate the bureaucratic decisions that allowed such large-scale exemptions and potential misuse of public money. On the other hand, Sukhbir Badal and the Shiromani Akali Dal defended the project, stating that the benefits were extended legally under the state’s eco-tourism policy and accused the AAP of running a political vendetta.
As of mid-2025, no demolitions have taken place, and no arrests or formal charges have been filed against either Capt. Amarinder Singh or Sukhbir Badal in connection with their properties. However, legal reviews and background investigations appear to be ongoing. While the Siswan farmhouse appears to have cleared the basic legal hurdles, the Sukhvilas resort remains under review for possible violations and financial irregularities.