The Telangana State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission awarded six months of simple imprisonment to an office-bearer of a construction firm for failing to hand over a property, and then failing to refund money.
The Commission bench comprising president M.S.K. Jaiswal, and members Meena Ramanathan and K. Ranga Rao were dealing with a batch of three similar execution applications (EAs) against the respondent, Gharonda Builders and Developers, and its authorised representative Sunil J. Sachdev. The six months simple imprisonment are to run consequently to each EA.
In EA 26 of 2019, the petitioners stated that the respondents did not comply with orders which the commission had passed on January 24, 2019, directing that ₹12,43,487 with interest at 9% per annum, ₹50,000 as compensation, and costs of ₹5,000 be paid. When the matter came up for cross examination, the respondents filed an interlocutory application (IA) under the Provincial Insolvency Act in the Small Causes Court, seeking a stay on the EA proceedings, pending disposal of an IP in Additional Judge, City Small Causes Court. This, however, the IA dismissed.
