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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Tenants Could Face ₹50,000 Fine for Illegal Subletting

BENGALURU: The Karnataka state government has announced major changes to the Rent Control Act of 1999, decriminalizing rental disputes while significantly increasing penalties, which may rise from 900% to 2,500%. The cabinet approved these amendments last week, and they will be presented during the winter session of the legislature in Belagavi. The amendments aim to align the state legislation with the central government’s Jan Vishwas Act, 2025, which decriminalizes minor offences while implementing penalties and warnings. Imprisonment clauses of up to one month related to rental disputes between tenants and landlords will be eliminated. Under the new amendments, penalties for…

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Ex-Lodha Developers Director in 14-Day Fraud Custody

MUMBAI: On Monday, a court here placed former Lodha Developers director, Rajendra Lodha, under 14-day judicial custody following his arrest in an alleged fraud case, denying the police requests for additional remand. Lodha appeared before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate V R Patil at the conclusion of his previous remand period. The police sought an extension of his custody, citing ongoing verification of documents related to Lodha’s financial sources gathered during their investigation. The law enforcement agency highlighted that a forensic audit is being conducted, necessitating further interrogation of the accused based on findings from this audit. The crime branch apprehended…

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Chennai collects ₹910 crore in property tax, eyes ₹1,100 crore goal

CHENNAI: During the first half of the 2025–26 financial year, the Greater Chennai Corporation collected ₹910 crore in property tax, aiming for a target of ₹1,100 crore from April to September. Civic officials announced plans to ramp up collection efforts to meet the financial goal. To enhance compliance, the Corporation is providing various online and offline payment solutions, as well as sending reminders to defaulters. In past years, the civic body organized special camps specifically for property tax collection; however, this year saw no such events, as more taxpayers opted for online payments. Officials noted that digital reminders and simplified…

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Bombay HC Orders Action on Illegal Slum Tenement Deprivation

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court recently took significant action to support eligible slum residents wrongfully denied their rehabilitation tenements. The court has instructed the principal secretary of the State Urban Development Department to formulate a system, in collaboration with the CEO of the Slum Redevelopment Authority (SRA), to identify illegal occupants within various schemes. A two-judge bench, consisting of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Aarati Sathe, emphasized that adherence to the court’s directives would provide justice to those rightfully entitled to tenements but currently deprived, not only due to illegal actions by builders but also because of SRA officials who operate…

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ED Seizes ₹153 Crore in Universal Buildwell PMLA Case

CHANDIGARH: The Gurugram zonal office of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached properties valued at Rs 153.16 crore, belonging to the former promoters of M/s Universal Buildwell Private Limited and its affiliated entities, alongside their key associates. The attached assets encompass 29.45 acres in Behror, Rajasthan, several units at Universal Trade Tower, Sector 49, Gurugram, and a fixed deposit of Rs 3.16 crore, as per provisional attachment orders issued by adjudicating authorities last week. The ED also filed a chargesheet against the accused during this timeframe. The investigation was prompted by over 30 FIRs filed under various Indian…

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Mumbai SIT Arrests 11th Suspect in Land Forgery Case

MUMBAI: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Mumbai’s crime branch is investigating a land scam involving extensive tampering with property records to convert Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and No Development Zone (NDZ) lands into developable plots along the coastline. Mohammed Vasi Akhtar Shaikh (38) has been arrested as the 11th accused, accused of manipulating city survey maps and bribing government officials. Shaikh allegedly received payments from landowners seeking to lift the NDZ designation from their properties to facilitate illegal construction. Investigations revealed that he bribed officials from the BMC’s P-North ward. In one instance, he allegedly paid Rs 6 lakh…

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CBI Targets Builders, Financial Officials in Crackdown

Image used for representation. NEW DELHI: The CBI conducted searches at 12 locations across Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Mumbai on Saturday, following the registration of six new cases against builders and financial institution officials for allegedly defrauding homebuyers. The agency is probing a collusion between builders and financial institution officials that deceived homebuyers in these cities, acting on directions from the Supreme Court. The FIRs include Bengaluru-based Ithaca Estate Private Limited, LGCL Urban Homes, Ozone Urbana Infra Developers Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai’s Shashwati Realty Pvt. Ltd, ACME Realties Pvt. Ltd, and Kolkata’s MKHS Housing LLP. Homebuyers approached the Supreme Court after being…

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ED Questions Actor Jagapathi Babu in Sahiti Infra Case

HYDERABAD: On Thursday, Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials interrogated actor Jagapathi Babu regarding the Sahiti Infra case. Investigations revealed that his financial interactions with the company were primarily legitimate. Sources indicated that the actor was summoned to clarify his financial transactions with Sahiti Infra, which is being scrutinized for allegedly defrauding numerous homebuyers. Jagapathi Babu had promoted the real estate company in various advertisements and received payment for his endorsements. The ED confirmed that there are no criminal proceeds associated with him. The ED’s prosecution complaint elaborated on the actions of Sahiti Infratech Ventures India Private Limited (SIVIPL), spearheaded by Boodati…

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Indore Files FIRs Against Developers of 16 Illegal Colonies

Sure! Here’s a rewritten version of the content: INDORE: On Thursday, the Indore district administration initiated legal action by ordering the filing of First Information Reports (FIRs) against the developers of 16 unauthorized colonies. Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Gaurav Benal stated, “This initiative is part of a wider enforcement against illegal construction and land-use in the area,” and confirmed that instructions have been given to file FIRs against the developers and colonizers under applicable laws. “The FIRs arise from the unauthorized development of these colonies without the necessary government approvals,” he stated. The ADM noted that, to date, FIRs have…

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SC Finds Tenant in Contempt, Imprisons for Not Vacating

NEW DELHI: On Friday, the Supreme Court found two individuals guilty of contempt for willfully disobeying its order to vacate their rental property in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The court imposed civil imprisonment on one of the individuals. A bench led by Justices J K Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi sentenced the contemnor to three months of civil imprisonment, directing authorities to detain him and transfer him to Tihar Jail. This case arose from an Uttar Pradesh High Court ruling that upheld a directive from the Rent Control Authority for the eviction of the tenants involved. The contemnor was also ordered to…