Aashish Jain, Director at Arihant Shelters, was arrested this week by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the fraudulent sale of government-earmarked OSR (Open Space Reservation) lands in Tamil Nadu. The investigation revealed forged documents were used to transfer the lands to private buyers, who then sold them to NHAI and SIPCOT at inflated prices. ED has seized assets totaling INR 18.10 crore, including cash, gold, shares, and bank balances. The probe indicates long-term manipulation of lands originally intended for public utilities, with proceeds allegedly routed through shell companies.Read more

The National Company Law Tribunal has admitted Katra Realtors-an affiliate of Ansal Properties and Infrastructure (Ansal API)-into insolvency proceedings following a plea by IL&FS Financial Services. Katra Realtors had provided an unconditional corporate guarantee for a loan Ansal API borrowed in 2016. After Ansal API defaulted in 2017, IL&FS recalled the loan in 2019 and invoked the guarantee, later renewing its demand in 2024. While Ansal API's liabilities exceed INR 571 crore, the guarantee claim on Katra Realtors is around INR 23 crore. An interim resolution professional has been appointed as Ansal API continues to face liquidity pressures and project delays.Read more

Municipal authorities in Jamshedpur and Dhanbad have launched a coordinated enforcement drive to clamp down on illegal constructions that deviate from approved building plans. A special squad will carry out random inspections, and offenders face possible demolition and hefty fines. Local residents are being urged to report suspect activity. The campaign builds on a history of selective enforcement and misused basements in Jamshedpur, signalling a tougher, more systematic regulatory phase.Read more

The Madras High Court has issued notices to the Union Government, the Tamil Nadu Government and Chennai Metro Rail Limited after a petition sought a revised detailed project report (DPR) for the long-pending Madurai Metro project. The petitioner, a first-year law student, argued that the earlier DPR no longer reflects Madurai's expanded urban footprint, rising population and growing institutional hubs such as the High Court Bench, AIIMS Madurai and major healthcare centres. He said the city now meets the population criteria under the Metro Rail Policy, 2017, and that outdated 2011 census data should not determine eligibility. The plea seeks preparation of an updated DPR, with the court asking authorities to respond soon.Read more

The National Green Tribunal in Pune has imposed a penalty of INR 29.68 lakh on Wadgaon Budruk RMC plant for continuing operations despite a closure order issued by MPCB in June 2024. Complaints by a local resident highlighted health risks to nearby residents, a school, and a bakery. The plant violated siting norms and operated without valid consent, even after electricity disconnection. The penalty will fund environmental restoration, and the plant is now shut. The order underscores the importance of regulatory compliance and citizen vigilance.Read more

Rajasthan has set up a six member cabinet sub-committee to monitor and implement the Land Allotment Policy 2025. The panel includes senior ministers such as the Deputy Chief Minister, Revenue Minister, and Urban Development Minister of State. Its role is to review requests for exemptions and relaxations under the policy and submit recommendations to the Chief Minister. The Urban Development Department will handle administrative functions. This initiative builds on the state's earlier steps to simplify land allotment for industrial parks, aiming to encourage real investments while maintaining proper oversight and transparency.Read more

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) transferred a four-hectare section of CTS No 83 in the Wadala-Antop Hill-Sion salt-pan belt to the Mumbai City Collector's office after the Bombay High Court criticised its delay in complying with earlier conservation-related orders. This land falls under a long-running matter that began with the 2005-06 BEAG case, which required mangrove-covered government land to be handed to the Forest Department. A contempt petition filed by NGO Vanashakti prompted the recent transfer, which now forms part of the broader compliance process.Read more

PUDA has cancelled CLU permission for 1.21 acres within a 56.53 acre industrial park in Mohali after ownership disputes were raised. The original CLU approvals were issued in 2018 and 2019 under the Industrial Park Policy. The contested area includes numerous industrial plots, 88 SCO sites, parking areas, shops, toilet blocks, and a water?works plot. Following official hearings, authorities confirmed the land belongs to the complainant. The developer must submit a revised layout reflecting actual ownership, which requires fresh approval and public notification.Read more

Authorities are setting up a digital geofencing system to regulate activity around the eco-sensitive zone of Sultanpur National Park. The area is being mapped into five concentric rings, each with specific restrictions on construction, industry and land use. HARSAC is developing a real-time dashboard that will alert enforcement teams to any violations, reducing past disputes caused by unclear boundaries. Key curbs include a construction ban within 300 metres, limits on building heights up to 500 metres, and prohibitions on commercial structures, polluting industries, mining and glass-facade buildings within designated distances. Additional rules cover noise, tourism, waste burning and plastic use, aiming to protect the wetland ecosystem and migratory bird habitat.Read more

CAQM has lifted Stage-3 GRAP restrictions in Delhi-NCR following a slight improvement in air quality, with the 24 hour AQI at 327. Construction, demolition, and older diesel vehicle bans have been eased, and offices and schools can resume full operations. Stage-1 and Stage-2 measures remain active to sustain the modest gains and prevent pollution spikes. The decision was based on data from IMD and IITM forecasting favorable meteorological conditions. Authorities stress the need for vigilance, as seasonal and structural pollution factors continue to challenge air quality management.Read more