News Citation : 2026 LN (CGRERA) 18
February 25, 2026 : The Chhattisgarh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) has directed the Chhattisgarh Housing Board to compensate homebuyers for delay in handing over possession of a residential unit in its Sector 12, Phase 1 housing scheme in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar.
The complaint was filed by Prahlad Kumar Dwivedi and Rishi Dwivedi in connection with a Senior HIG (3BHK) unit measuring 2324.16 square feet. The allottees had booked the property in 2017 and were issued an allotment letter on 10 January 2019 for a total consideration of ₹68.79 lakh. As per the revised allotment order dated 2 May 2019, construction was to be completed within three years.
RERA noted that, even after accounting for the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic between March 2020 and February 2022, the Housing Board was required to complete construction and offer possession by 2 May 2024. However, physical possession was granted only on 10 March 2025, resulting in a delay of approximately 10 months beyond the permissible extended timeline.
The Authority held that under Section 18 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, the allottees were entitled to interest for the delayed period.
The case also involved a dispute over additional financial demands raised by the Housing Board. The allottees challenged: Interest charged for alleged delayed instalment payments, A “better location” charge of ₹1.01 lakh, GST amounting to over ₹7.37 lakh and Other interest calculations.
The buyers argued that they had substantially complied with payment schedules and that possession had been delayed primarily due to construction issues, including structural defects such as water accumulation on the porch roof. They had repeatedly written to the Board seeking rectification of these issues before proceeding with registration.
The Housing Board, in its defence, maintained that construction had been completed in December 2022 and that the allottees themselves delayed certain payments and raised technical objections, which postponed registration and possession. It further stated that repairs were carried out and that interest recalculation was under process at the headquarters level.
After examining the documents and submissions from both sides, RERA framed three key issues: jurisdiction, limitation, and entitlement to relief.
The Authority held that it had jurisdiction over the matter, as the dispute related to delay in possession and structural defects within a registered real estate project. It also found the complaint to be within the statutory limitation period, since possession had been granted on 10 March 2025 and the complaint was filed within three years of that date.
On merits, RERA concluded that there was a delay of around 10 months in handing over possession beyond the adjusted deadline. The Authority ruled that the allottees were entitled to interest for the delayed period in accordance with the Act and applicable rules.
The matter relating to recalculation and refund of certain interest components was noted to be under administrative consideration, but the Authority made it clear that statutory liability for delay could not be avoided.
The order reinforces the principle that promoters, including government housing bodies, are accountable under RERA for timely delivery and fair financial practices.
Case Reference : M-PRO-2025-03148, Prahlad Kumar Dwivedi and Rishi Dwivedi vs Chhattisgarh Housing Board (General Housing Scheme (Phase-01) at Sector-12, PCGRERA040718000437)
