Maximize Consumer forum rules against builder

Mumbai: Residents of a multistorey complex, Sagar Avenue, at Santa Cruz East have reason to cheer. The suburban Consumer Redressal Forum has given an interim relief order in favour of the residents who claimed that the housing group, Sagar Builders, had undertaken new construction contrary to the original layout.

According to them, the group had promised them an independent clubhouse. But in the second phase of the construction, the promoters used the space earmarked for the clubhouse to construct another building. The tower will invade the privacy of the building residents as the structures are facing each other, said Uday Wavikar, advocate of the building residents.

Sagar Builders, in its argument, referred to the Supreme Court order that does not bind builders to take prior consent of flat takers as long as they put up additional construction in accordance with the layout plan, building rules and development control regulations. CRZ restrictions were also cited

However, J L Deshpande, president of the forum, said that the promoters did not follow the civil liabilities under the Maharashtra Ownership Flats Act.

Sagar Builders has appealed to the state commission of the consumer forum. Melwyn Pinto, sales manager of the group, said he had no knowledge of the order. Our legal team will handle the matter in the commission.