DLF Loses Land Battle

Leading real estate developer, DLF got a major setback  this year as the Punjab & Haryana High Court directed the developer to return 11 acre of prime land in DLF5 to the concerned RWA. DLF had developed a project named 'Crest' on the 11- acre land in 2013, which was part of a 30- acre plot where DLF Park Place apartment complex was launched in 2006. The High Court  directed Haryana's Department of Town & Country Planning to identify and demarcate the 11- acres, contiguous to Park Place and hand over to RWA.

DLF suffered another blow when SC restrained it from creating any third party rights on a portion of land where it has constructed the 'Mall of India' in Noida's prime Sector 18. The apex court's interim order was delivered in response to an appeal filed by several land owners. The appeal had mentioned that the allotment of the land (in dispute with DLF Universal) and executing the land's lease deed in DLF’s favour, prior to its acquisition under Land Acquisition Act, was totally illegal. 

Realtor-Mayor’s Controversial Housing Project

The realtor-turned politician, Kulwant Singh, Mayor of Mohali, came under spotlight for alleged favours granted to his under construction project in Sectors 82 & 66 A in Mohali, Punjab. The SAD politician came under lens for alleged favours granted to his project by allegedly changing the policy on the basis of provisions in the Punjab Apartment & Property Regulation Act 1995. He was allowed extra five years to complete his housing project on an extended area without having to pay any penalty. The government, however, defended its decision, saying that the policy change was applicable to all new projects and the ones to be upgraded.

HUDA’s Plot Allotment Scam

Haryana Urban Development Authority’s multiple plot allotment scam continued to make unsavoury headlines in 2016. Former ministers, MLAs, IAS & IPS officers and other VIPs figure in the list of beneficiaries who allegedly procured more than one plot under reserved category in urban estates in contravention of rules.The case related to this scam has been going on in Punjab & Haryana High Court on the basis of a public petition. HUDA told the High Court that after investigation , it had found 2481 cases of multiple allotments under reserved category by giving false information. The investigation was conducted in pursuance of Punjab High Court direction to constitute special investigation teams for conducting thorough fair probe. The case will come up for next hearing on January 18, 2017.

Supertech’s Towering Trouble

NCR’s major real estate developer, Supertech suffered a setback as NBCC, which was asked by SC to file a report on alleged illegal construction in developer's Emerald Court project in Noida, told the apex court that the construction of twin towers — Apex and Ceyane, was illegal and in contravention of National Building Regulation. The SC is looking into the validity of 2014 order of Allahabad High Court, directing demolition of two 40-storey towers and also ordering the company to refund the money with 14% interest. The apex court directed Supertech to deposit Rs 10 crore  for ensuring refund to homebuyers.