The Trident Group, a prominent industrial entity in Punjab, has filed a plea in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking a joint inspection of its facilities by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). This request follows a raid conducted by the PPCB on April 30 at the group's Barnala unit, which the company claims was politically motivated after its founder, Rajinder Gupta, resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Gupta, a significant industrialist with a net worth exceeding ₹10,600 crore (approximately $1.3 billion USD), was part of a group of MPs who defected from AAP. The group's counsel, Munisha Gandhi, argued that the PPCB's actions lacked procedural integrity, as the unit was not notified prior to the raid, and samples were not sealed in the presence of company representatives. In response, PPCB's advocate, DS Patwalia, dismissed the allegations as unfounded and characterized the inspection as routine. The court has indicated that any regulatory action must adhere to legal standards, and a detailed order is expected soon.