Builders penalised for delay in possession

Chandigarh, February 18

The Punjab State Consumer Commission has directed a Mohali and Amritsar-based builder to pay over Rs 33 lakh for not giving possession in the promised time. City resident Santosh Gupta had filed the case against ‘Wave Estate Developers’ of Mohali and M/s Country Colonisers Private Limited, Amritsar.

Gupta had purchased an independent floor in Wave Estate, Sector 99, Mohali. Thus, Rs 32.56 lakh was paid in instalments to the builders over a period of more than three years. As per the agreement dated July 22, 2013, the possession of the flat was to be handed over to the complainant within two years from the date of booking. However, the same was not done.

In reply, the builders said the complainant is a defaulter in the instant case as she had failed to make payments within the stipulated periods. It also said that the complainant was not a ‘consumer’ as the property was to be purchased for commercial purposes. The forum found the builders at fault and asked them to refund Rs 32.56 lakh to the complainant along with Rs 50,000 as lump sum compensation. —TNS