Haryana RERA escalates the issue to the High Court over 207 arrest warrants issued against 20 builders.

GURUGRAM: This year, the Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (H-RERA) has issued 207 arrest warrants targeting 20 developers based in the city for failing to comply with its orders to compensate homebuyers for delays in handing over flats.

However, despite issuing these warrants, police have yet to act, prompting H-RERA to approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court for intervention. The regulator has also initiated contempt of court proceedings against the police in three cases due to their inaction.

Rajender Kumar, H-RERA’s adjudicating officer, stated that the arrest warrants were issued between February and September after developers repeatedly ignored directives.

“The lack of police enforcement has only aggravated the distress of homebuyers,” said Kumar. “We have referred the matter to the High Court, yet the police have not taken action. Thousands of homebuyers continue to suffer as a result.”

When questioned about the situation, DCP Headquarters Arpit Jain told TOI, “As of now, we have not received any such notice from the court. If we receive an order, we will act as per the directions of the honorable court.”

Ritika Singh, a homebuyer who has been waiting for her flat for over five years, expressed her frustration with the redressal system. Despite the government’s appointment of a regulator, she feels it is failing homebuyers.

“I invested all my savings in this flat, but the builder has delayed possession multiple times. H-RERA ordered compensation, but I haven’t received a single rupee,” she lamented.

Similarly, Ajay Mehra, another homebuyer, shared that he was supposed to move into his apartment in 2018. “It’s 2024, and I’m still waiting. I’ve lost trust in the process. We’ve done everything we could, but the developers keep evading accountability,” he said.

Ankit Sharma, another buyer impacted by the delays, voiced his disappointment: “We expect the law to protect us, but when even a government authority takes action and it’s still not enough, what’s the point?”

H-RERA officials hope that moving the matter to the High Court will create a renewed sense of urgency, pushing developers to comply.