The Bombay High Court has expressed deep concern over the proliferation of illegal constructions and urged the Maharashtra government to present solutions to address this issue. The court, which initiated action against an unauthorized building in Navi Mumbai, emphasized the need to end the era of tolerating such developments and send a strong message that they won't be tolerated. It noted that individuals often obtain stays against actions by civic authorities through civil courts, calling for an immediate halt to such manoeuvres. The court sought answers from the government and instructed the court receiver to take possession of the illegal building.Read more

The Delhi High Court has ordered the state government, MCD, and DDA to provide a detailed explanation for permitting new constructions in the ecologically sensitive Southern Ridge forest area, including the controversial 'Risland-Sky Mansion' housing project. The court's directive follows revelations of illegal construction activities in the Chattarpur area within the Southern Ridge. This action stems from PILs addressing poor air quality in Delhi, with an appointed amicus curiae offering expert insights.Read more

The upcoming board meeting of the Yamuna Authority scheduled for today will address several crucial proposals. One of these proposals aims to provide relief to around 1,600 allottees affected by the cancellation of two housing schemes. They will be charged only for the period of their transition to the new scheme, reducing penalties for delayed payments. The board will also consider offering successful flat scheme allottees the option to participate in the plot scheme and plans for a 150-bed old-age home, with 50 beds for the sick and disabled. Changes to the group housing scheme, modifications to data centre park plots, and a one-time settlement for certain allottees will also be discussed. Additionally, a revised detailed project report for the proposed heritage city in Mathura-Raya is on the agenda.Read more

The Orissa High Court has issued new orders to the additional district magistrate (ADM) in Cuttack under the Odisha Protection of Interest of Depositors (OPID) Act. These orders are related to initiating refunds for investors who deposited up to Rs 8,000 with GLP Developers Limited and Golden Land Developers Limited. These two companies faced controversy over allegedly collecting Rs 590.68 crore through their branch offices. The recent order, issued on September 1st, modifies a previous one from May 20, 2022, focusing on small investors. The court's decision comes after ongoing legal battles and protests by discontented depositors, seeking timely refunds of their investments. The modified order seeks to provide relief to these investors by ensuring the release of at least Rs. 8,000 each to identified investors within two months.Read more

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has deferred its decision on the conversion of leasehold commercial and industrial properties in Chandigarh, citing the need for more information. In an affidavit presented to the Supreme Court, the MHA emphasized the importance of making the decision "at the right juncture" and highlighted the lack of specific details in the Chandigarh administration's proposal. The MHA also mentioned ongoing inter-departmental discussions regarding penalties for building violations and misuse of premises in Chandigarh. The delay, which has been ongoing for months, leaves Chandigarh residents waiting for a resolution on these crucial issues, despite previous assurances of progress.Read more

The Maharashtra government's directorate of municipal administration has requested clarity from the Deolali Cantonment Board regarding various crucial matters in the plan to exclude civilian areas from the cantonment and merge them with a neighbouring civic body. Issues include geographical continuity, floor space index (FSI), salary and pension burdens of employees, taxation rates, infrastructure values, and revenue matters. The directorate will make its final recommendation on the merger once these issues are clarified, and the state government will then communicate it to the Ministry of Defence. This process may also apply to Aurangabad Cantonment.Read more

The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) is considering a policy shift to benefit real estate developers. In an upcoming board meeting, they may eliminate penal interest on financial dues for housing projects along the Yamuna Expressway and introduce a 'zero period' for projects mired in legal disputes with local farmers. The one-time settlement (OTS) policy under discussion could exempt realtors from accumulated penal interest, providing relief to developers and around 7,000 homebuyers awaiting project completion. YEIDA's move responds to appeals from developers and aims to recover an estimated ?9,000 crore in outstanding financial dues, although partial payments may be required to qualify for the interest waiver.Read more

The Telangana High Court has issued a significant stay order against a state revenue secretary's memo, allowing apartment associations to register under the Telangana Societies Registration Act, side lining the Cooperatives Societies Act. The decision followed a petition by a resident, Madamanchi Ramesh Babu, who argued that the memo favoured real estate developers over apartment residents and lacked transparency. The memo's impact raised concerns about financial mismanagement and neglect of residents' welfare. The court's move is a pivotal step in safeguarding apartment residents' rights and interests, emphasizing the need for a balanced regulatory framework. It remains to be seen how this decision will shape the future of apartment association registration in Telangana.Read more

In a complex administrative and legal development, the Estate Officer of the Union Territory (UT) has issued directives to address building violations and misuse concerns related to Plot No. 24 in the Industrial Area, Phase 1, owned by Berkeley Realtech Ltd. The situation began with an inspection directive and later took a turn when Berkeley Realtech's advocate cited a Punjab and Haryana High Court order from August 28, seeking an extension and consolidated resolution for notices. In response, the Estate Officer instructed Berkeley Realtech to provide a comprehensive reply by September 11 and mandated a building inspection, emphasizing transparency. This ongoing saga involves property sealing and environmental compensation, marking a critical phase of scrutiny and resolution.Read more

The Bombay High Court has rejected a plea by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MLA Ravindra Waikar, along with his wife Manisha and three others, challenging the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) decision to cancel permission for the development of land designated for a five-star hotel in Jogeshwari (East). The court questioned the initial permission granted by BMC officials and why no action was taken against those officials when the permission was later revoked. The dispute arose from an agreement made in 2004, and the court found that the petitioners had concealed key clauses, leading to the rejection of their plea.Read more