SC orders Supertech to return money to home buyers or face jail
SC orders Supertech to return money to home buyers or face jail
Supertech’s 40-storey twin towers in Noida face demolition orders
New Delhi, Jan. 12 (Delhi Crown): The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the real estate company Supertech to either return money to its home buyers by January 17, or face jail.
The apex court pulled up Supertech for its failure to reimburse home-buyers of flats in the 40-storey twin towers in Noida, the demolition of which was directed by the Court in August last year.
The SC bench headed by Justices D. Y. Chandrachud was hearing contempt pleas by the home-buyers, alleging that while, on the one hand, Supertech invited them to collect their money, on the other, when they approached the company, they were told that the money would be paid back in installments together with certain deductions which were not indicated by the Court.
“We will send your directors to jail now! They are playing truant with the Supreme Court…! Interest cannot be charged on Return of Investment! You are looking for all sorts of reasons to not comply with the order of the court. Ensure that the payments are made by Monday, else there would be consequences!,” Justice Chandrachud told the Advocate appearing for Supertech.
The Court also asked Noida Authority to finalise the agency to be entrusted with the task of demolition of the twin towers in the Noida Emerald Court housing project. It directed the authority to respond on January 17.
The Supreme Court had on August 31 upheld an order passed by the Allahabad High Court directing the demolition of twin 40 storey towers in the Emerald Court project of Supertech Ltd in Noida for violation of building norms.
The Court had directed that the work of demolition should be carried out by the appellant Supertech within a period of three months at its own cost under the supervision of NOIDA officials. The demolition shall be overlooked by the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) to ensure safe demolition.
The work of demolition shall be carried out by Supertech at its own cost under the supervision of the officials of NOIDA. In order to ensure that the work of demolition is carried out in a safe manner without affecting the existing pleadings, NOIDA shall consult its own experts and experts from Central Building Research Institute Roorkee. The work of demolition shall be carried out under the overall supervision of CBRI.
In the event that CBRI expresses its inability to do so, another expert agency shall be nominated by NOIDA. The cost of demolition and all incidental expenses including the fees payable to the experts shall be borne by the appellant (Supertech).
