The Haryana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (H-RERA) has filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking intervention after police failed to act on 207 arrest warrants issued against 20 developers in Gurugram. The warrants were issued for non-compliance with compensation orders related to delayed flat handovers to homebuyers.

H-RERA adjudicating officer Rajender Kumar explained that the warrants, issued between February and September, were the result of builders repeatedly ignoring directives to compensate buyers. “The absence of police action has exacerbated the suffering of homebuyers,” Kumar said. H-RERA has initiated contempt of court proceedings in three cases against the police for inaction.

In response, DCP Headquarters Arpit Jain stated, "We have not yet received any such notice from the court. Once we do, we will act as per the court’s directions."

Ritika Singh, a frustrated homebuyer, said she invested her savings into a flat but has been waiting for possession for over five years. “H-RERA ordered compensation, but I haven't seen a single rupee,” she lamented. Similarly, Ajay Mehra, another buyer, was promised possession in 2018. "It’s 2024, and I’m still waiting. We’ve followed all procedures, but developers continue to evade accountability," he added.

Ankit Sharma, another affected buyer, expressed frustration: “If a government regulator's actions don't yield results, what hope is left for us?”

H-RERA officials believe that moving the high court will inject urgency into the process and compel the developers to comply with their obligations.

(ET)