In a recent setback to the Jalandhar Improvement Trust (JIT) over its troubled Indrapuram Master Gurbanta Singh Enclave housing project, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered the trust to refund nearly Rs 44 lakh to three allottees.
The three complaints pertained to allottees of LIG flats under the 13.96 acres Indrapuram Master Gurbanta Singh Enclave scheme, who booked flats between 2006 and 2008.
Despite waiting for years beyond the promised possession period, the allottees noted that the JIT failed to provide them with habitable flats equipped with basic amenities such as electricity supply, water connections, sewerage facilities, approach roads and underground LPG infrastructure, forcing them to seek relief before the consumer commission.
In the first case, the commission ruled in favour of the legal heir of late Satish Kumar, who was allotted LIG Flat No 15FF in September 2006 after depositing Rs 4.43 lakh. The possession was expected by March 2009 but was never delivered. Satish Kumar approached the commission in April 2023, seeking a refund. However, he passed away on July 17, 2023, during the pendency of the case, following which his legal heir, Tarvinder Kumar, followed the matter. The commission ultimately directed the JIT to refund the deposited amount with interest and compensation, taking the total relief to around Rs 15 lakh.
The second case involved Anita, allottee of LIG Flat No 3FF, who deposited Rs 4.37 lakh after allotment in September 2006. While the JIT claimed possession had been offered in March 2011, the complainant argued it was merely “paper possession” as the flat lacked basic amenities and could not be occupied. In its June 4 order, the commission accepted her contention and granted relief estimated at around Rs 15 lakh.
In the third case, Tirath Gill, allottee of LIG Flat No. 162 GF, stated that despite depositing nearly Rs 3.91 lakh following allotment in November 2008, the possession of the flat was never handed over. After approaching the commission in April 2023, he secured a favourable order directing the JIT to refund the amount around Rs 14 lakh.
In a common order, the commission directed the JIT to refund the deposited amounts with interest at 9 percent per annum from the respective dates of deposit till realisation. It further ordered that if the payment is not made within 45 days, the rate of interest would increase by an additional 3 per cent. The commission also awarded Rs 30,000 as compensation for mental agony and harassment and Rs 10,000 towards litigation expenses in each case.
The latest orders add to a series of adverse rulings against the JIT in the long- running dispute surrounding the Indrapuram housing project, launched nearly two decades ago.
