Category: Regulatory

Keep up with important regulatory news affecting real estate, including government policies, tax reforms, compliance requirements, and RERA updates. Understand how these regulations impact developers, investors, and buyers.

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Bombay HC Imposes Daily Fine on Builder for Fire NOC Delay

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court has granted significant relief to flat owners in Kandivali West who have been unable to secure Fire Clearance Certificates (NOC) and Occupation Certificates (OC) for over a decade. In a decisive ruling, the court asserted that should the builder fail to obtain the Fire NOC within the specified timeframe, they will incur a penalty of Rs 50,000 for each day of delay. This penalty will be submitted to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) until the NOC is granted. Additionally, as the flat owners have not yet formed a society, the court mandated that once established,…

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Karnataka HC: Building Plans Must Meet Norms for Approval

BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court has determined that the regulations applicable to building plan approvals are those in effect at the time of sanction, not at the initial application submission. A single-judge bench, led by Justice Suraj Govindaraj, dismissed a writ petition filed by a property developer who contested the rejection of his building plan by municipal authorities. The developer asserted that his application should adhere to the norms that existed prior to subsequent amendments to the building by-laws. The court rejected this argument, clarifying that the mere act of applying does not confer any vested rights to the applicant.…

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Secunderabad Cantonment Board Raises Property Tax Over 100%

HYDERABAD: Property owners in the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) are facing more than a double increase in their property tax due to a recent revision that has raised the rates by over 100%. Typically, property tax adjustments are made by cantonment boards every three years. While some increase is common, residents are concerned that this latest adjustment is unprecedented. Previous hikes have rarely exceeded 30%, exacerbated by fears of losing their properties and tenants due to the anticipated road widening and elevated corridor project. “Notices about the tax increase started arriving three to four months ago, especially for properties along…

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Orissa HC Orders Arrest of Promoters for CRZ Violations in Puri

BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to protect the environment, the Orissa High Court recently mandated the superintendent of police in Puri to arrest the promoters of a significant residential-cum-commercial project in Puri, which allegedly violated coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) norms. A complaint was initially lodged by a Puri resident with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, prompting an inquiry into the project. This led to the Odisha Coastal Zone Management Authority getting involved. In July, the Puri-Konark Development Authority (PKDA) intervened and ordered the promoters to halt construction on the site. Some promoters subsequently challenged this order in the…

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SC Calls Rajasthan Housing Board Land Encroachment ‘Absolute Scam’

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court labeled the encroachments on lands acquired for the Rajasthan Housing Board as an “absolute rank scam,” with allegations of collusion at all levels. Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta noted that multiple Rajasthan High Court rulings had established that authorities cannot regularize these illegal constructions. “Several benches have attempted to ensure the land is reclaimed, but the influential individuals behind this scam prevent it,” stated Justice Mehta. This commentary came during a hearing on a plea from the Rajasthan government, which was contesting an August 20 high court order. The high court had suspended a…

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Bombay HC Issues Contempt Notice to Doctor Over SRA Tenement Lies

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court has issued a show-cause notice for contempt of court to a doctor accused of hiding information while applying for a rehabilitation tenement in a Santacruz (W) slum redevelopment project. “Such conduct amounts to abuse of process and, if left unchecked, would undermine the court’s responsibility to ensure justice,” stated Justices Ajey Gadkari and Kamal Khata on Thursday, rejecting Mumtaz Khoja’s review petition and imposing a cost of Rs 5 lakh. Additionally, they instructed the BMC and SRA to investigate how a trust led by Khoja was allowed to operate a school with 150 students in…

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Madras HC: Sub-registrars Can Reject House Site Registrations

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has clarified that sub-registrars have the authority to deny the registration of a plot as a house site without prior approval from planning authorities, as stipulated under the Registration Act. This clarification came from a division bench comprising Justices S M Subramaniam and Mohammed Shaffiq while ruling on an appeal filed by the sub-registrar of Salem West. The appeal challenged a single judge’s order dated July 1, 2024, which reversed a decision to deny registration of a plot. The case originated from a plea by D Rajamanickam, who contested the sub-registrar’s refusal to register a…

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Calcutta HC: Auction Buyers Must Pay Property Tax Dues

KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court ruled on September 25 that auction purchasers must cover the property tax liabilities of previous owners. This decision arose when a company requested a waiver for outstanding property taxes amounting to Rs 1,23,84,142, which the KMC deemed unacceptable for mutation. Justice Gaurang Kanth indicated that the auction purchaser holds the responsibility for the property’s tax arrears, stating, “The petitioner, being the auction purchaser, is obliged to settle the outstanding property tax dues. The sale notice and expression of interest (EOI) highlighted that all bidders should conduct their own investigations and due diligence before bidding.” The…

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Bombay HC: CIDCO’s 22.5% land return scheme is optional

In a landmark ruling that could have significant repercussions for land acquisition in Navi Mumbai and beyond, the Bombay High Court has determined that the City and Industrial Development Corporation’s (CIDCO) 22.5% developed land return scheme is optional, rather than mandatory for landowners. If landowners do not consent to the acquisition under this scheme, CIDCO or any authority seeking land for public use must adhere to the procedures outlined in the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (LARR) Act, 2013, and Section 126 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act. According to…

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HC Calls Ex-Civic Chief’s Arrest in Money Laundering ‘Illegal’

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court deemed the arrest of Anil Pawar, former chief of the Vasai-Virar civic body near Mumbai, by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as “illegal” in a money laundering matter, ordering his immediate release. A bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad stated that the ED lacked “tangible material” necessary for his arrest. “We find that on August 13, 2025, the arresting officer had no material as stipulated under section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, which indicates a belief that the person is guilty of the offence,” the HC stated. “There is…