UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC sets aside HC order for CBI probe into Gurugram Mall project

Q1. The Ambience Mall / Ambience Island dispute, in which the Supreme Court in January 2026 set aside the Punjab & Haryana High Court's order for a CBI probe, related to a parcel of land in Nathupur village (Gurugram) measuring approximately:

• A. about 10 acres
• B. about 19 acres
• C. about 35 acres
• D. about 50 acres

Q2. The Supreme Court bench that on 20 January 2026 set aside the Punjab & Haryana High Court's 2020 order directing a CBI probe into the Ambience Mall project was led by which one of the following judges?

• A. Justice J.B. Pardiwala
• B. Justice Surya Kant
• C. Justice B.R. Gavai
• D. Justice Sanjiv Khanna

Q3. With reference to the Punjab & Haryana High Court's 2020 order in the Ambience Mall matter and the Supreme Court's 2026 ruling setting it aside, consider the following statements: 1. The High Court had directed the CBI to register an FIR into the construction of the mall, whereas the Supreme Court held that direction to be 'ex facie erroneous' and unsustainable in law. 2. While setting aside the High Court's order, the Supreme Court also stayed a National Green Tribunal order imposing ₹10 crore environmental compensation on the developer. 3. The Supreme Court additionally quashed all other related proceedings concerning the disputed land that were pending before the High Court. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The High Court had directed the CBI to register an FIR into the construction of the mall, whereas the Supreme Court held that direction to be 'ex facie erroneous' and unsustainable in law.
2. While setting aside the High Court's order, the Supreme Court also stayed a National Green Tribunal order imposing ₹10 crore environmental compensation on the developer.
3. The Supreme Court additionally quashed all other related proceedings concerning the disputed land that were pending before the High Court.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), whose direction to investigate was at issue in the Ambience Mall case, functions exclusively under the administrative control of which one of the following Union Ministries?

• A. Ministry of Home Affairs
• B. Ministry of Law and Justice
• C. Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
• D. Cabinet Secretariat (directly under the Prime Minister)

Q5. With reference to the constitutional law on a High Court directing a CBI investigation under Article 226 — as reiterated by the Supreme Court while setting aside the order in the Ambience Mall case — consider the following propositions: 1. Such a direction can be issued only in rare and exceptional cases on the basis of cogent material. 2. Prior consent of the concerned State Government under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 is a mandatory pre-condition before a High Court can issue such a direction. 3. Gross delay and lack of bona fides on the part of the petitioner can by themselves disentitle the petitioner to such discretionary relief. 4. The Supreme Court's affirmation of this power flows from State of West Bengal v. Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights (2010). Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

1. Such a direction can be issued only in rare and exceptional cases on the basis of cogent material.
2. Prior consent of the concerned State Government under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 is a mandatory pre-condition before a High Court can issue such a direction.
3. Gross delay and lack of bona fides on the part of the petitioner can by themselves disentitle the petitioner to such discretionary relief.
4. The Supreme Court's affirmation of this power flows from State of West Bengal v. Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights (2010).

• A. 2 only
• B. 2 and 4
• C. 1 and 3
• D. 3 only