The Karnataka government has released draft rules for the Registration (Refusal and Cancellation of Registered Documents) Rules, 2025, aiming to curb misuse of the property-registration system. The proposal empowers district registrars to cancel registrations made using forged or illegal documents, either proactively or upon receiving a complaint - a significant shift from the earlier requirement of pursuing cancellations only through the courts. Sub-registrars will also be able to refuse registrations if documents appear fake, strengthening frontline scrutiny. The draft has been opened for public feedback for 15 days. Overall, the rules seek to close long-standing loopholes and improve buyer protection and regulatory oversight in Karnataka's real estate market.Read more

Lucknow Police has strengthened 'Operation Pehchaan' by holding landlords accountable if tenants involved in criminal activity are found to be living in their properties without proper verification. With the city seeing a surge in migrant inflow, authorities say some offenders have been renting homes using false identities. Tenant registration is now mandatory through the police website or the UPCOP app, to be completed before move-in or within a month. Police will verify details through physical checks, and landlords must keep copies of key documents. Rules for foreign nationals require Form C submission and prompt reporting. Regular reviews by ACPs, ADCPs and DCPs aim to ensure strict compliance.Read more

Earlier this week, local police in Varanasi filed an FIR against the operator and manager of Hotel Dayal Tower for allegedly housing about ten foreign nationals without obtaining the mandatory Form C clearance from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). The guests, believed to have been brought in by a university professor, represented countries like Japan, the US, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada and Australia. The hotel reportedly had applied for permission, but the registration was still pending when authorities carried out a surprise inspection, leading to legal action under the Foreigners Act and related statutes.Read more

Delhi authorities have intensified their action against construction-related air pollution, imposing fines totaling INR 2.36 crore and shutting 48 non-compliant construction sites. Over 200 show-cause notices were issued to projects violating dust-control norms. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has inspected more than 1,200 large construction sites and mapped nearly 4,900 localities, identifying 33 areas requiring immediate action. Real-time monitoring using video, PM?.?/PM?? sensors, and public display boards has been implemented. The drive also covers diesel generators, polluting industries, and coordinated measures with multiple municipal and urban agencies to enforce air quality standards.Read more

MahaRERA has introduced a new SOP to speed up compensation recovery for homebuyers, following directions from the Bombay High Court. Developers must pay compensation within sixty days, failing which homebuyers may file a non-compliance application. Persistent defaulters will be required to disclose their assets, and recovery warrants may be issued for attachment of properties. Cases of continued refusal may be sent to the Principal Civil Court, where developers could face up to three months' imprisonment.Read more

The Enforcement Directorate found that the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code process was misused in the sale of land belonging to Universal Build Well Pvt. Ltd., a company undergoing insolvency. During searches in Delhi and Gurugram, the agency seized INR 50 lakh in unexplained cash from intermediaries, including a lawyer linked to NCLT proceedings. The investigation showed that the land was sold at a price far below its market value, and intermediaries, a secured creditor's official, and other parties allegedly colluded, keeping homebuyers uninformed and bypassing proper IBC procedures.Read more

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached a commercial plot valued at around INR 108 crore belonging to Vatika Limited as part of an ongoing money-laundering investigation linked to investor complaints. The case began after several FIRs were filed in 2021 with the Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing, accusing the company and its promoters of misleading investors and failing to complete multiple projects. About 659 investors are reported to have invested nearly INR 248 crore in four projects that remain incomplete without conveyance deeds. The ED had earlier attached assets worth INR 68.59 crore in the same matter.Read more

Mumbai's civic authority has stated that construction and industrial activity in any locality will be stopped if the Air Quality Index (AQI) stays above 200 despite required mitigation measures. This step forms part of the city's GRAP-4 actions and builds on the 28-point pollution-control guidelines announced in October 2024. The BMC has created flying squads for every ward to monitor on-ground compliance, waste burning, dust emissions and fuel usage. Officials have been instructed to ensure strict implementation as several areas recently reported higher-than-usual pollution levels.Read more

The Maharashtra government has formed a new committee, led by the PWD's additional Chief Secretary, to process compensation claims for accidents or deaths caused by potholes or open manholes on roads under its control. Families of victims may receive up to INR 6 lakh, while injured individuals can get INR 50,000 to INR 2.5 lakh based on severity. The committee must convene within seven days of a reported case and meet every 15 days, with powers to act on applications or even suo motu based on media reports. Compensation paid by the PWD will be recovered from those responsible for poor maintenance, including contractors or officials. The move follows Bombay High Court directives stressing accountability and timely repairs.Read more

The Supreme Court accepted the definition of the Aravali Hills and Aravali Range submitted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It stated that a hill must have a minimum height of 100 metres and be located within the notified Aravali districts, while ranges are formed when two or more such hills lie within 500 metres of each other. The Court also said that the lowest contour line around a hill, including its slopes, will be counted as part of the Aravali area. It has stopped new mining leases across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat until the Sustainable Mining Plan is finalised.Read more