The panel scrutinised all documents of the project, including dates of approvals, layouts and noted that the developer did not seek prior environment clearance for making amendments for expansion or modification under the Environment Impact Assessment notifications prevailing during that period.
The developer admitted to the panel in August that the building was constructed with the approval of all authorities.
However, they had not taken environment clearance.
When contacted, Shishir Srivastav, CEO, Phoenix Mills Ltd, refused to comment on the issue.
A three-member State En-vironment Impact Assessment Authority will take a final decision on the issue. It can overrule a decision by the expert panel.