NCDRC Orders Pune Builder To Complete 20-Year-Delayed Housing Project In 3 Months Or Refund Buyers With Interest

Pune, July 17, 2026: The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has directed Pune-based Kakade Construction Company Pvt. Ltd. to complete two long-pending flats in its Kakade City housing project at Hingane (Budruk) within three months or refund the buyers’ money with 15% annual interest, holding that homebuyers cannot be made to wait indefinitely for possession.

The order, passed on July 14 by a bench comprising Justice Sudip Ahluwalia and Member Sadhna Shanker, partly allowed a consumer complaint filed by Pune residents Ajay Anant Dhurve and Renuka Ajay Dhurve, who booked two flats in the project in 2006 and have been awaiting possession for nearly 20 years.

Flats Booked in 2006, Possession Due in 2007

According to the commission’s order, the couple booked the two flats for a total consideration of ₹37.99 lakh. They initially paid ₹51,000 at the time of booking, followed by another ₹2.5 lakh, taking their total payment to approximately ₹3.01 lakh. They also incurred around ₹2.25 lakh towards stamp duty and registration charges.

The sale agreement was executed on June 13, 2006, and registered on June 23, 2006. Under the agreement, the builder had committed to handing over possession within 18 months from the commencement of construction, making December 2007 the agreed deadline.

Buyers Alleged Project Was Never Completed

The complainants informed the commission that despite the passage of several years, the construction remained incomplete. They also alleged that the builder failed to obtain an Occupancy Certificate (OC) and never demanded the balance sale consideration, indicating that the project had not progressed as promised.

NCDRC Finds Deficiency in Service

The commission observed that nearly two decades had passed since the promised possession date, yet the builder had neither completed construction nor secured the mandatory Occupancy Certificate.

It held that the builder’s failure to deliver possession within a reasonable period constituted deficiency in service as well as an unfair trade practice under consumer protection laws.

Builder Given Three Months to Comply

The NCDRC directed Kakade Construction to obtain the Occupancy Certificate and hand over possession of both flats within three months.

If the builder fails to comply within the stipulated period, it must refund the buyers’ ₹3.01 lakh along with 15% annual interest, calculated from the respective dates of deposit until the payment is made.

The commission also awarded the complainants ₹50,000 towards litigation costs.

Additionally, the order states that if the builder fails to comply with the commission’s directions within the prescribed timeline, the refundable amount will carry an enhanced interest rate of 18% per annum for the period of default.