NATIONAL CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION, NEW DELHI
Ram Surat Ram Maurya, Presiding Member and Dr. Inder Jit Singh, Member
Akshay Gupta and Anr. – Complainants
versus
ICICI Bank Limited through its
Managing Diretor & CEO and Ors. – Opp. Parties
Consumer Case No.63 of 2020, Consumer Case No.172 of 2020, Consumer Case No.174 of 2020, Consumer Case No.175 of 2020, Consumer Case No.177 of 2020, Consumer Case No.255 of 2020 and Consumer Case No.64 of 2020
Decided on 2.1.2023
Consumer Protection Act, 1986 – S. 21(a)(i) – [Consumer Protection Act, 2019 – S.58(1)(a)(i)] – Services - Services – Real Estate – Allotment of Flat / Plot – Delayed Possession -Home loan – Builder Stop payment - Facility Agreement and Undertaking – Between bank and builders - Liability of the Complaint to pay EMI – Continues - The complainants took plea that there was an agreement between the bank and the builders for promotion of the project - This fact has been denied by the bank -The complainants filed a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding -A perusal of this document does not indicate that the builder had taken liability of paying EMI till delivery of possession. Clause 9 of sale agreement dated 17.08.2013, between the complainants and builders, mentioned that the promoters had entered into an agreement with ICICI Bank Ltd. to promote subvention scheme popularly known as 20:80 for the benefit of their purchasers. It only means that bank was ready to give loan to the extent of 80% of the cost of the flat under subvention scheme. It does not mean that the liability of the complainants to repay the loan/EMI was absolved till delivery of possession as there was no such contract between the bank and the complainants – Therefore, the builders paid pre-EMI till April, 2019. Under the Facility Agreement and Undertaking, the complainants are bound to pay EMI, if the builders stop payment - It is not disputed that the complainants took the home loan and executed Facility Agreement. They are liable to repay it in accordance with Facility Agreement, for which the complainants also executed an Undertaking, in which they took liability to pay the EMI if the builder stopped payment of it. Therefore, the complainants cannot deny the payment of EMI on the ground that under Sale Agreement the builders were liable to pay EMI till the date of delivery of the possession. Admittedly, the complainants withdrew from the Sale Agreement in 2018, therefore, there was no question of delivery of possession to them – On facts, Complaint is dismissed. [Paras 7 to 9].
Result: Complaint dismissed.
ORDER
Heard Ms. Shilpa Gamnani, Advocate and other advocates in all the above complaints, for the complainants, Ms. Chetna Bhalla, Advocate, for opposite party-1 and Mr. S.B. Prabhavalkar, Advocate, for opposite parties-2 and 3.
2. In above complaints, same issues of facts and law have been raised against same opposite parties as such all the complaints are decided by a common judgment. For appreciating the controversy, facts of CC/63/2020 are mentioned. Relevant facts in above complaints are given in the chart below:—
| CC No. | Name of the Complainant | Flat No. | Date of sanction of Loan | Date of Disbursement | Amount of Loan |
| CC/63/2020 | Akshay Gupta & Garima Mishra | Flat No.410, B-Wing, 4th floor, Raj Infinia, | 21.08.2013 | 30.08.2013 | Rs.12334541/- |
| CC/64/2020 | Nagraj Mahadev Shetti | Flat No.1008, 10th floor, B-Wing Raj Infinia, | 19.07.2013 | 24.07.2013 | Rs.12799364/- |
| CC/172/2020 | Pritam Kumar Patnaik & Bandita Panda | Flat No.414, 4th floor, C-Wing Raj Infinia, | 07.08.2013 | 31.07.2013 | Rs.17862159/- |
| CC/174/2020 | Muringassril Jacob Kuruvilla & Mrs. Susan George | Flat No.A-602, 6th floor, A-Wing Raj Infinia, | 28.08.2013 | 31.08.2013 | Rs.17706142/- |
| CC/175/2020 | Jignesh Tapiawala & Mrs. Shital Tapiawala | Flat No.C-1714, 4th floor, C-Wing Raj Infinia, | 07.09.2013 | 16.09.2013 | Rs.17742859/- |
| CC/177/2020 | Shirley Coutinho & Philomena Countinho | Flat No.1505, 15th floor, B-Wing Raj Infinia. | 07.09.2013 | 07.09.2013 | Rs.13909600/- |
| CC/255/2020 | Ravi Agrawal & Swati Agrawal | Flat No.C-814, 8th floor, Raj Infinia, | 20.07.2013 | 17.09.2013 | Rs.18100531/- |
3. Akshay Gupta and Garima Mishra have filed CC/63/2020 for quashing Loan Recall Notice dated 19.09.2019, issued by ICICI Bank Limited (opposite party-1) and any other relief, which is deemed fit and proper, in the facts and circumstances of the case.
4. The complainants stated that ICICI Bank Limited (opposite party-1) (the bank) was a banking company, incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 and engaged in the business of providing loans against property, home loans, financial assistance etc. to the general public. Rajesh Lifespaces Private Limited and Rajsanket Realty Limited (opposite parties-2 and 3) (the builders) were the companies, registered under the Companies Act, 1956 and engaged in business of development and construction of housing project and selling its unit to the prospective buyers. The builders launched a group housing project in the name of “Raj Infinia”, at CTS No.307/66/A, village Valnai, Taluqa Borivali, Mumbai, in 2013 and made wide publicity of its amenities and facilities. They advertised that the flats could be purchased under “subvention scheme”. On inquiry, Mr. Rananjay Singh, the authorised representatives of the builders and Mr. Gaurav Wig, an officer of the bank, informed that the project was jointly offered by the bank and the builders and as per “subvention scheme”, 20% of sale consideration had to pay by the buyer and 80% by the bank; and the builders would pay EMI on the bank loan, for a period of 36 months or till offer of possession, whichever was later. “Subvention scheme” was available only on the home loan taken from the bank. Mr. Afsar Sheikh, Sr. Branch Sales Manager-Mortgages of the bank, vide email dated 14.06.2013, informed that the bank was funding the project “Raj Infinia” in the ratio of 80:20. On inquiry, Mr. Vishal Doshi informed that possession would be delivered in the year 2016. The builders executed an agreement for sale dated 17.08.2013, in favour of the complainants, stating in clause-9 that interest on the bank loan would be borne by the builder till handover of the possession. Allured with “subvention scheme”, the complainants applied for home loan. The bank sanctioned Rs.13078217/- on 21.08.2013 as home loan. The bank
SupremeToday
Facility Agreement - It is not disputed that the complainants took the home loan and executed Facility Agreement. They are liable to repay it in accordance with Facility Agreement, for which the comp....
Liability of Interests - 60 days period expired on 28.02.2018 but full amount of the complainant has not been refunded as such the builder is liable to pay interest @9% per annum from the date of res....
The court affirmed that banks and housing finance companies must link loan disbursement to construction stages, thus protecting home buyers from liability for the developers' defaults.
Consumers are entitled to refunds as per contract when builders fail to meet obligations, irrespective of claims of investment for profit.
Consumer protection laws enforce timely delivery of property and accountability for financial obligations under agreements.
Residential buyers are consumers; builders liable for delayed possession sans force majeure proof; refund with interest from deposit dates.
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.