The Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) has directed a builder to refund excess maintenance charges amounting to Rs 5.45 lakh collected from allottees and to obtain mandatory Completion and Occupation Certificates. The order came while allowing a complaint filed by a residents' welfare association.
Directions Issued by RERA
The authority also ordered the builder to provide all promised amenities as per the project brochure and refund charges collected for excess area. The case was brought by the residents' welfare association (RWA) of the housing society, alleging deficiencies and non-compliance by the builder. The authority allowed the plea and issued a series of directions in favor of the residents.
Legal Representation and Verdict
Advocate Mohd Sartaj Khan, representing the complainants, termed the verdict a major victory for allottees in the case involving Col Romesh Ghai and others against the builders of the project. He said the district consumer disputes redressal commission, Ropar (camp at Mohali), had earlier partly allowed the complaint on February 6, 2026, and issued several directions.
Key Orders Against Builder
According to the order, the builder must secure Completion and Occupation Certificates and refund excess maintenance charges collected from buyers until these certificates are obtained. The commission noted that the complainants had paid for a super area of 5,110 square feet, while the actual delivered area was 4,769 square feet. It directed the builder to refund charges for the excess 342 square feet.
The builder has also been asked to pay 12% annual interest on the sale consideration from the date of filing of the complaint until the mandatory certificates are obtained. In addition, litigation costs of Rs 75,000 were awarded to the complainants, with directions to comply within 45 days.
Reaction from Allottees
The allottees, Col Romesh Ghai and Shaheen Ghai, welcomed the verdict, calling it a significant win for residents. The case was pursued by advocates Mohd Sartaj Khan and Luv Malhotra under provisions of the Consumer Protection Act.
