Latest news with #RealEstateRegulatoryAuthority
Indian Express
21 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Punjab & Haryana HC terms shifting of RERA HQ to Dharamshala ‘mala fide', slaps Rs 5L fine on govt
Reacting sharply to the state government for shifting the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA)'s headquarters from Shimla to Dharamshala, a division bench of Himachal Pradesh High Court Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma on Friday termed the move 'mala fide' and slapped a penalty of Rs 5 lakh for failing to appoint the authority's chairman and members despite the necessary process being completed two months ago. The bench also directed, the detailed order released on Saturday, that Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena should 'come present on June 25 if the necessary notifications about the appointments of RERA chairman and members were not issued'. The court directions came during the resumed hearing on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by one Atul Sharma, challenging the extension of Saxena's tenure 'on multiple grounds and the delay in appointing the RERA chairman as well as members'. The order reads, 'It is also to be noticed that in the interim period, after the recommendation sent, the office of RERA has been relocated to Dharamshala on June 13 without even identifying the alternative office place. We are also of the prima facie opinion that the whole purpose of dragging the appointments and shifting the HQ of RERA is with a mala fide purpose, and at this stage, we do not wish to say anything more.' The order further states, 'Necessary notifications shall also be issued regarding the appointments by the said date (June 25), failing which the Chief Secretary shall come present on the said date.' The division bench also reprimanded the state government for dragging its feet in notifying the appointments of the chairperson and members of the HP RERA. The court, while hearing the matter on Friday, observed that the authorities failed to act despite prior directions and imposed a cost of Rs 5,00,000 on the state government for its inaction. The order states, 'The matter was first listed on May 9 when it was brought to the court's attention that respondent No. 3 (Chief Secretary) had applied for the post of Chairperson of HP RERA. During the same hearing, the bench noted that the Registrar General of the High Court had forwarded the recommendations for appointments to the state government on March 13. Despite this, no official notification regarding the appointments had been issued. The court had also taken judicial notice of the numerous representations it received, expressing concern over the prolonged delay in filling these key regulatory positions.' Among the representations placed on record was a letter dated April 16, 2025, from one Sunil Kumar, highlighting the state's inaction. The matter was then adjourned to May 15, with the court directing the Secretary to file an affidavit in light of Rule 18(5) of the Himachal Pradesh Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules, 2017, which mandates the selection process be completed in a time-bound manner. On May 26, the court recorded that the affidavit dated May 15, 2025, filed by the Secretary, admitted the state government's obligation to appoint the chairperson and members. However, it was stated that the RERA office had been relocated to Dharamshala, District Kangra, in accordance with a broader policy decision. During the last hearing on June 20, the state government informed the court through a status report that only one member— Vidur Mehta — had been appointed via notification dated June 19, 2025. An affidavit filed on the same date stated that the appointment process for the remaining members and the chairperson was still under consideration. Taking a dim view of the situation, the court observed, 'The above sequence of events shows that the State Government is deliberately delaying the notification of appointments, despite recommendations being made over three months ago.' Consequently, the court imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh on the state government, directing that it be deposited in the Registry by June 25, 2025. The bench also ordered that the necessary appointment notifications be issued by the same date. In the event of non-compliance, the Chief Secretary has been directed to appear in person before the court. Senior advocate Peeyush Sharma, representing the petitioner, had told The Indian Express, 'The division bench has firmly instructed the state government to file its replies by June 25. Although the government informed the bench that a HPRERA member was appointed yesterday (Thursday), the bench questioned why the statutory body's chairperson had not been appointed yet, despite the selection committee, headed by the Chief Justice, High Court, already clearing the name.'
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Delay in RERA chief appointment shows govt's ‘mala fide' intent: Himachal HC
The delay in appointment of Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) chief and members was with a 'mala fide purpose', observed the Himachal Pradesh high court while hearing a public interest litigation on the delay in these appointments. RERA was rendered headless after the post of chairperson had fallen vacant in December last year, following retirement of Shrikant Baldi. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Pulling up the state government over the delay, on Friday, the high court directed it to issue notification for the post of chairman and other members by June 25. The court has also imposed a fine of ₹ 5 lakh on the government. '....after the recommendation was sent, the office of RERA has been relocated to Dharamshala on June 13, 2025, without even identifying the alternative office place. We are also of the prima facie opinion that the whole purpose of dragging of the appointments and shifting the HQ of RERA is with a mala fide purpose and at this stage, we do not wish to say anything more,' read the order of division bench of chief justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and justice Ranjan Sharma on Friday, the copy of which was made available on Saturday. RERA was rendered headless after the post of chairperson had fallen vacant in December last year, following retirement of Shrikant Baldi. '....sequence of events would go on to show that the state government is dragging its feet for not notifying the appointment of chairperson and the members,' observed the HC, while directing the state to issue notification regarding the appointments by June 25, failing which the chief secretary shall come present on the said date. In the detailed order high court pointed out that the issue had first cropped up on May 9, when a PIL filed by Atul Sharma, challenging the extension of six months granted to Prabodh Saxena as Himachal's chief secretary, who was also one of top-runners for the post of HP RERA chairperson. The order mentioned that 'Office of chief justice has also received a large number of representations that the appointment of chairperson and members, as such are not being notified and therefore, judicial notice also be taken of the same.' The recommendations of selection committee headed by the HP high court chief justice with the secretary (urban development), and secretary (law) as its members regarding appointment of RERA chairperson and members was sent by the registrar general of high court on March 13, and as per the Rule 18(5) of Himachal Pradesh Real Estate [Regulation and Development] Rules, 2017, the selection process has to be time bound. During the earlier hearing of the PIL, the state government was asked to file affidavit giving 'Specific reason that the state has withheld the recommendations of the selection committee.' The state government had cited 'relocation of RERA office to Dharamshala, district Kangra, which was on the basis of a policy decision', as reason for delay in appointment while admitting that 'State government is under the obligation as per the rules to appoint the chairperson and members.' The state government through a status report on Friday had informed the high court that by notification dated June 19, 'that only one Member has been appointed namely Vidur Mehta', and the process of appointment of other members and the chairperson is currently under consideration and is in process.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Himachal HC pulls up Sukhu govt over delay in appointing of RERA chief
The Himachal Pradesh high court (HC) on Friday pulled up the state government over delay in appointment of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) chief and asked it to issue notification for the post of chairman and other members by June 25. The court asked the state government that the notification for the posts of RERA chairman and its member must be issued by June 25, warning that the state's conduct appeared to be a deliberate attempt to stall justice. (File) The court verbally announced a fine of ₹ 5 lakh on the government for the delay. The detailed order is awaited. The directions were issued by the division bench of chief justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and justice Ranjan Sharma during the resumed hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) regarding delay in appointments of RERA chief and members. The court asked the state government that the notification for the posts of RERA chairman and its member must be issued by June 25, warning that the state's conduct appeared to be a deliberate attempt to stall justice. 'The government is playing hide and seek—first citing the shifting of RERA headquarters to Dharamshala— and now delaying appointments under the pretext of procedural issues,' the bench said. The court also expressed regret that despite being asked on May 9 whether appointments had been notified, the government had failed to act decisively. During Friday's proceedings, the government submitted that Vidur Mehta, an architect, has been appointed as a RERA member and the remaining appointments were 'under process'. Founding the explanations 'unsatisfactory', the court observed that repeated excuses reflected administrative apathy. The PIL filed by Atul Sharma has sought quashing of extension given to Prabodh Saxena as chief secretary of the state government on the grounds that it was given in clear violation of the Central Services Rules and guidelines of Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT). Saxena was considered front-runner for the post of RERA chairperson which had fallen vacant in December last year after retirement of then chairperson Shrikant Baldi. Saxena faces chargesheet in the infamous INX Media scam, in which then Union finance minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti are also named as accused. The petitioner informed the court that the special judge, anti-corruption court, Rouse Avenue, New Delhi, had taken cognisance of the chargesheet on October 21, 2019. The CBI had also reaffirmed the pendency of the case through a letter dated January 23, 2025 The petition argued that vigilance clearance cannot be granted to an officer who is an accused in a corruption case under the Prevention of Corruption Act. In May, HC had sought an affidavit from state government over 'specific reason that the state has withheld the recommendations of the selection committee'. 'Keeping in view the larger public interest, if the appointment has not been notified, affidavit be filed as to why it has not been done and what is the specific reason that the state has withheld the recommendations of the Selection Committee,' said the division Bench, comprising chief justice GS Sandhawalia and justice Ranjan Sharma on May 9, while directing the state government to file an affidavit. The high court clarified that the matter concerning interim relief against Saxena's extension would be considered on June 25, when the petition comes up for hearing again. Leader of opposition and former chief minister,Jai Ram Thakur, said, 'Even high court-recommended appointments are facing delays. RERA is being shifted to Dharamshala under suspicious circumstances.'
Hans India
5 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
ASBL closes Rs 1,000-cr sales in Broadway project in Hyd
Hyderabad Prominent builder in Hyderabad's real estate sector ASBL has launched the much-anticipated Broadway, a premium residential gated community and closed Rs 1000 crore sales during pre-launch and launch day recently. The project, spread over five acres in the Financial District's prime area, has recently garnered the coveted Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) approval. Inspired by Manhattan, a borough of New York City, the project will feature three towers with G+50 floors, 885 luxurious 3 BHK flats ranging from 2035 to 2650 sq. ft., and will be handed over by December 2029. Founder & CEO of ASBL Ajitesh Korupolu said that the project offers a seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces, featuring expansive balconies framed by three-sided glass railings, which provide uninterrupted views of the city and create the perfect space to relax and unwind. This outdoor living concept offers a rare urban space that blends indoor comfort with outdoor freedom. The project is designed by keeping various sensibilities of Indian families in mind and will provide futuristic homes for several generations to come, he added. Despite the slight overall real estate market slowdown in India in recent times, he said that Hyderabad has been contributing significantly to India's total residential sales, highlighting its significance in the real estate sector. With its advanced infrastructure and a range of ongoing and upcoming residential projects, West Hyderabad continues to remain as one of the most lucrative areas for investment, not just within the state, but the entire country as well, Ajitesh explained. With ASBL Broadway, we aim to unlock the potential of the city even further, especially that of West Hyderabad, as it is a location with excellent infrastructure and connectivity with leading hospitals, schools, and major business hubs, making it an ideal choice for homebuyers. In short, Broadway is a community designed specifically for those who seek limitless living, comfort, and luxury, he said.
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Business Standard
13-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Arkade Developers buys 6.28-acre land parcel in Thane for ₹172.48 crore
Arkade Developers, a Mumbai-based real estate developer, has bought a 6.28-acre freehold land parcel in Thane, a part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), for ₹172.48 crore, including stamp duty. The company will develop a mixed-use project on the purchased land with a gross development value (GDV) of ₹2,000 crore, having a Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) saleable area of 9.26 lakh square feet (sq ft). The project launch is slated for early 2026, the company noted. The land parcel is located at Kasarvadavali, off Ghodbunder Road, in Thane West. JLL India was the transaction advisor for the deal. The company believes that with the upcoming Metro Line 4 and the Thane–Borivali twin tunnel, Thane is undergoing significant transformation. The land deal marks Arkade's entry into the Thane market. Amit Jain, chairman and managing director, Arkade Developers, said, 'With a strong presence in central locations such as Kanjurmarg, Mulund, and Bhandup, our entry into the Thane market marks a significant milestone in our growth journey. Thane, with its rapidly evolving infrastructure including upcoming metro lines and other major projects, is emerging as a key growth hub for residential and commercial projects. Our strategy is aligned with the overall market trend towards luxury housing.' Further, Jain stated that during the financial year 2025 (FY25), the company also acquired a 4-acre land parcel in Goregaon, which was previously leased to Filmistan. The parcel has an estimated GDV of ₹3,000 crore. According to Square Yards Data Intelligence, in the first quarter of the calendar year 2025 (Q1 CY25), Thane West saw 3,126 new property transactions with a gross sales value of ₹3,787 crore. The property rate in the area as of Q1 CY25 stood at ₹21,547 per sq ft, up from ₹20,029 per sq ft in Q1 CY24. Meanwhile, the rental rate as of Q1 CY25 stood at ₹40.413 per sq ft.
