Fatehgarh Sahib: Firm directed to give possession of shops or refund money

Fatehgarh Sahib, january 28

The Permanent Lok Adalat (Public Utility Services) ordered M/s Gems & Jewels Private Limited, the company that constructed a mall at Patarsi village, to hand over the possession of shops to three applicants within 45 days or refund the amount paid by them with interest.

In case the possession of shops was not delivered, Dr Pawandeep Kaur will be entitled to a payment of Rs 42 lakh, Dr Harpal Singh Rs 28.73 lakh and Biloni Rs 55 lakh, along with interest. Besides, the Lok Adalat also ordered a compensation of Rs 50,000 and Rs 10,000 as litigation expenses in each case.

The applicants stated that the director of the firm, Gurkirpal Singh Chawla, had constructed a mall in Patarsi. Some shops were sold to Dr Harpal Singh, Biloni and Dr Pawandeep Kaur through builder-buyer agreements. The buyers were not handed over possession of these shops even after the end of the stipulated period. Despite their repeated requests, the company did not refund the money paid by them, prompting them to file applications before the Permanent Lok Adalat.

The respondent denied that any builder-buyer agreement was inked but failed to prove it.

The court took as evidence the agreements and bank statements of applicants showing the payment made to the respondent company before allowing the applications.