Haryana RERA Mandates Over Rs 4 Crore Compensation to Homebuyer in Chintels Paradiso Case
In a significant ruling, the Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) has ordered Chintels India to pay more than Rs 4 crore to a homebuyer at the Chintels Paradiso project in Gurgaon. The authority held the developer accountable for grave construction defects that rendered the residential complex unsafe for habitation, as reported by Rao Jaswant Singh.
Background of the Complaint and Structural Failures
The complaint was filed by Aruna Garg, a Delhi resident who purchased a 4BHK flat in Tower C for over Rs 1.8 crore, exceeding the agreed sale price. After taking possession in October 2019, Garg promptly reported issues such as cracked tiles, uneven flooring, and damage in balconies and common areas. According to the RERA order, these defects were repeatedly brought to the developer's attention but were not adequately addressed.
The case gained critical importance following the tragic collapse of Tower D on February 10, 2022, which resulted in the deaths of two residents and exposed severe structural failures across the complex. Subsequent district-level inquiries and structural audits, including one conducted by IIT-Delhi, revealed widespread corrosion in reinforcement steel across multiple towers. This damage was attributed to chlorides embedded in the concrete during construction, with experts concluding that the deterioration was so advanced that repairs were neither technically sound nor economically viable.
RERA's Detailed Order and Compensation Calculation
In its order dated March 30, RERA adjudicating officer Rajender Kumar emphasized that the allottee could not be faulted for the defects, stating it was "the sole responsibility of the respondent to construct the project as per prescribed norms." The authority noted that buyers had been promised construction of "international standards," yet the project had effectively become unfit for habitation.
RERA examined two primary options for affected buyers: compensation or reconstruction. While the developer was unwilling to undertake reconstruction, Garg opposed the Rs 7,500 per square foot benchmark suggested under committee recommendations, arguing it did not reflect current market realities. Acknowledging that property values in Sector 109 had risen sharply between 2022 and 2026, RERA recalculated compensation at Rs 13,000 per square foot. Based on this, Garg was awarded Rs 4 crore, inclusive of the amount already paid for the flat.
Additionally, the authority directed the developer to refund Rs 4.6 lakh paid as stamp duty, pay Rs 2 lakh for mental agony and harassment, and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs. However, Garg's claims for rental loss, EMI burden, delayed compensation, and higher damages were rejected, with RERA stating that market appreciation had already been factored into the final award. The developer must also pay 10.8% annual interest from the date of the order until full payment is made.
Developer's Response and Broader Implications
When questioned about the order, a Chintels spokesperson stated, "We have not received any official order till now. We can comment only after we receive it." This ruling underscores RERA's commitment to protecting homebuyer rights and enforcing accountability in the real estate sector, particularly in cases involving severe construction deficiencies and safety hazards.
