Maharashtra RERA directs builder to refund ₹26L to homebuyer

This is the second such case in which the authority has granted relief to a home-buyer.

Following the intervention of the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Maha-RERA), a home-buyer was able to get the refund of Rs26.15 lakh from a builder, who had failed to hand over possession of the flat with a stipulated time. This is the second such case in which the authority has granted relief to a home-buyer.

The housing regulator was formed to protect the rights of the homebuyers. (HT)

The complainant Kamlesh Ailani had booked an apartment in Virar in 2012 and was not given possession by 2016. He had paid for the flat no D 607 in the project known as Brooklyn Park also known as Ekta Parksville. Ailani lodged a complaint under Section 18 of the RERA Act 2016 to claim the advance payment made by him to the builder.

“The parties have amicably settled their dispute. The complainant has received full amount. Therefore there remains nothing for adjudication, hence the complaint is disposed of,” read the order passed by Maha-RERA member BD Kapadnis.

Ashok Mohnani, chairman and MD of Ekta World, however, defended himself and said that the issue was settled. “Ailani was in financial stress and hence he wanted a refund. He lodged a complaint but then MahaRERA asked us to solve the issue amicably. We talked and refunded the amount,” said Mohnani.

The project was launched as an affordable housing project by Ekta Builders and it offered several sops to woo buyers.

The housing regulator was formed to protect the rights of the homebuyers. Under the Act, builders cannot sell any apartments without registering with the regulator.