Land developer told to refund advance amount

BANGALORE: The Consumer Disputes Reddressal Forum has directed New Citi and Presidency Group to refund Rs 3.36 lakh to the complainant along with a compensation of Rs 60,000 compensation and Rs 5,000 cost for not registering the site that he had purchased in his name within a reasonable time. Anand Patil of Horamavu had agreed to buy Site No 124 for Rs 11.4 lakh in New Citi Layout at Abbanakuppe village in Bidadi hobli and had paid an advance of Rs 3.36 lakh through four cheques in November 2006. Patil had agreed to pay the remaining Rs 8.04 lakh at the time of registration within one month. New Citi, the developers of the layout, neither allotted the site nor responded to his requests to register the site in his name. Patil filed a petition in the Third Additional Consumer Disputes Reddressal Forum after issuing legal notices to New Citi and Presidency Group, the developers and promoters of the layout seeking the refund of the money that he had paid along with 24 per cent interest and a compensation of Rs 60,000. The respondents failed to appear before the forum though notices were issued to them. Therefore, the forum passed an ex parte order and directed the New Citi and Presidency Group to refund Rs 3.36 lakh along with 12 per cent interest, a compensation of Rs 60,000 and Rs 5,000 cost to Patil within 30 days.