Bailable warrants issued against GMADA officer

The Punjab State Human Rights Commission has issued bailable warrants of Rs 2,000, with one surety in the same amount, against the Estate Officer of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), directing appearance on November 12. The warrants are to be executed through the office of the Special DGP attached to the Commission.

The panel has also directed the Managing Director of Omaxe Chandigarh Extension Developers Pvt Ltd to appear in person at the next hearing for the redressal of the complainant’s grievances.

Complainant RK Arora, 72, a resident of Omaxe Greens Housing Society, Jharmari, Lalru, said his grievances had not been resolved for over two years. In September 2023, Arora and his grandson were trapped in a lift for more than 20 minutes due to a malfunction.

Despite the issuance of a show-cause notice under Section 16 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, GMADA has neither submitted a report nor filed a reply.

The panel observed that although the complaint was against a private builder, GMADA, as the controlling authority, bore vicarious responsibility for ensuring basic amenities in the housing society.

Arora said, “In September 2023, when I was going in the lift from the third floor to the ground floor with my four-year-old grandson, the lift suddenly stopped mid-air, leaving me stuck for approximately 15–20 minutes. I filed a complaint with the Punjab State Human Rights Commission, Chandigarh. The Commission sent my complaint to GMADA and directed it to inspect the lift and submit a report. However, as GMADA repeatedly failed to comply, the Commission issued bailable warrants against its Estate Officer during the hearing on October 23.