Pune: The district consumer forum has ordered a builder to refund Rs 3.35 lakh along with Rs 5,000 compensation to a man, who had paid the amount for booking a flat in a project, which was not completed. 

Last year, Pradip Jalinder Sole, from Jamkhed in Ahmednagar district, had moved the forum against M/s Shivtara Meredian Associates, Bund Garden road, Pune. Nilesh Singh and Ravindra Dhumal are partners in the firm.

As per the complaint, in 2013, the builder was to launch a housing project named ‘Tara Alicia’ at Kunjirwadi, Pune. On 06/05/2013, the complainant had booked a 570 sq ft flat, which was costing Rs 15.9 lakh. He had paid Rs 3.35 lakh for stamp duty and registration charges. However, there was no progress in the construction and in March 2015, the transaction was cancelled. The builder issued two cheques for refund, but they were dishonoured.   

Even after repeated attempts, when the builder did not give back his money, Sole filed a complaint with the consumer forum.
The builder did not appear before the consumer forum even after serving the notice, following which the forum proceeded ex-parte in the case.

The forum found deficiency in service on part of the builder based on various receipts, cheques submitted by the complainant. The builder was asked to refund Rs 3.35 lakh with nine per cent interest since December 2015.