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2025 Supreme(Online)(SCDRC) 26946
STATE CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION
CONSUMER PROTECTION AND ACTION COMMIETT – Appellant
Versus
M/S. AKSHAR ASSOCIATES – Respondent
SC/24/CC/01/164
Case Overview
- Multiple consolidated consumer complaints (CC/164/2001, 165/2001, 166/2001, 167/2001, 197/2001, 198/2001) filed by Consumer Protection Council and flat owners of Akshardeep Apartments (Block B and A-4) against builder M/s Akshar Associates (Opp.1), architect Shekhar Shah Associates (deleted), structural engineer Mr. Jagdish Associates (Opp.3), and supervising engineer Pankaj G. Modi (Opp.4/5). (!) (!) (!) (!) (!)
- Incident: Building collapse on 26.01.2001 due to earthquake, causing deaths, injuries, and property damage; complaints filed in June 2001. (!) (!) (!) (!)
- Earlier disposal by State Commission on 11.05.2012, appealed to National Commission, remanded on 06.09.2017 for fresh adjudication due to improper service on architect. (!) (!) (!) (!)
Parties and Claims
- Complainants: Consumer Protection Council (lead) and individual flat owners (e.g., Binaben S. Parikh B-12/A, Ritaben D. Batavia B-14, etc., total 15 flats listed). (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!)
- Opponents: M/s Akshar Associates (Raojibhai H. Patel, Dhirubhai H. Patel), Mr. Jagdish Associates, Pankaj G. Modi; architect deleted per National Commission order. (!) (!) (!) (!) (!)
- Relief sought: Refund of purchase price (less land cost), interest (15-18%), compensation for mental agony/losses (Rs.20,000-5,00,000 per complainant), costs (Rs.10,000-50,000). (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!)
Defenses Raised
- No privity of contract with engineers; Consumer Protection Council lacks locus; no permission u/s 12(1)(c); time-barred (possession 1993-95, complaints 2001); act of God (earthquake); no deficiency/unfair trade; building used 8-9 years without complaint. (!) (!) (!) (!)
- Criminal discharge of Opp.3 upheld by High Court; pecuniary jurisdiction issue (total claims exceed Rs.20 lakhs if combined). (!) (!) (!)
Evidence by Complainants
- Brochure assuring RCC framed structure, safety. (!) (!)
- FIR I-66/2001 (02.02.2001) alleging substandard materials, deviation from plans. (!) (!)
- Forensic/FSL reports: Defective columns (low steel 0.59%<0.8%), poor concrete (12.23 N/mm²), honeycombing, inadequate covers/hooks. (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!)
- National Council for Cement & Building Materials (Hyderabad) report: Substandard reinforcement, concrete grade, workmanship; water tank failure contributed. (!) (!) (!) (!)
- Expert affidavit (M.M. Shah): Negligence in design, soil check, column strength, covers; building unfit. (!) (!)
- Govt. aid: Rs.70,000 received per complainant (total aid Rs.1,75,000 based on Rs.3,500/sq.m). (!) (!)
Evidence by Opponents
- Affidavits/experts (Gaurang B. Dave, Utsav D. Patel): Compliant with 1979 AMC bylaws, IS codes; low-rise building; some positives in lab reports. (!) (!) (!)
- Claim charts deducting land cost (Rs.1,17,000-2,35,000/flat) and full govt. aid (Rs.1,75,000). (!)
- No opponent affidavits from principals; interrogatories replied. (!)
Commission's Findings
IN THE CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION GUJARAT STATE, AHMEDABAD Court No. 1 Complaint NO.164/2001 WITH Complaint NO. 165/2001 WITH Complaint NO. 166/2001 WITH Complaint NO. 167/2001 WITH Complaint NO. 197/2001 WITH Complaint NO. 198/2001 CC/164/2001
Details
DD
MM
YY
Date of Judgment
30
05
2022
Date of filing
26
06
2001
Duration
04
11
20
1. Consumer Protection Council
581/B, “Shailey” Complex, 9, Nehru Park Society, Nr. Gujarat High Court, Ahmedabad-380009.
2. Akshardeep Apartment owners of Block B B/h. Sanchar Colony, Ellis-bridge, Ahmedabad-380006.
1. Beenaben S. Parikh (amended on 5.8.2018)
22, Radhanpur Society, Bhairavnath Road, Maninagar, Ahmedabad-380022.
2. Dr. Riteben D. Batavia A-704, Spectrum Tower, Shahibaug, Ahmedabad.
3. Shri Kishorbhai R. Gantara
308, Sudarshan Complex, Nr. Mithakhali Under-bridge, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad-380009. …Complainants Vs
1. M/s. Akshar Associates, Proprietor Mr. Raojibhai Haribhai Patel (Builder, organizer & developer of Akshardeep Apartments “Akshar”,316/B, Sector-I, Lane no. 15, Satyagrah Chhavni, Jodhpur Tekra, Satellite road, Ahmedabad-380015.
(Old Address:10, Medicare centre, behind M.J. Library, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad- 360006)
2. Shekhar Shah Associates Architects
1stFloor,Patidar Bhavan Beside Police Station, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad.
(Deleted as per para 3 of the order of the Hon‟ble National Commission dated 6.9.2017)
3. Mr. Jagdish Associates (Structural Engineer of Akshardeep Apartment), Residing at, 207/2478, Pratiksha Apartments, Sola Road, Naranpura, Ahmedabad - 380013.
(Office at, premium house, Lad Society, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad.)
4. Pankaj G. Modi (supervisinglicence engineer, Having licence no. 1149 dtd. 12.6.1991 of Akshardeep Apartment)
3/33, Basvali Society, Ghatlodia Road, Chandlodia, Ahmedabad - 382481. …Opponents CC/165/2001
1. Consumer Protection Council Address as mentioned in complaint no. 164/2001
2. Akshardeep Apartment owners of Block B Address as mentioned in complaint no. 164/2001
1. Maulik Kantilal Brahmbhatt – amended on 5.4.2018 (Shri Kantilal N. Barot)
Marftia‟s Dehla, Viramgam.
2. Dipak H. Shah- amended on 5.4.2018 (Bharatraj Polychem Pvt. Ltd.)
4, Achala Apartment, Nr. Venudhar Society, Gulbai Tekra, Ahmedabad.
3. Jayshreeben P. Shah
24/247, Parishram Apartment, B/h. thackersey Charitable Trust Hospital, Satellite, Ahmedabad-380015.
Vs
1. M/s. Akshar Associates, Address as mentioned in complaint no. 164/2001
2. Shekhar Shah Associates (Deleted as per para 3 of the order of the Hon‟ble National Commission dated 6.9.2017)
3. Mr. Jagdish Associates Address as mentioned in complaint no. 164/2001
4. Pankaj G. Modi Address as mentioned in complaint no. 164/2001 …Opponents CC/166/2001
1. Consumer Protection Council Address as mentioned in complaint no. 164/2001
2. Akshardeep Apartment owners of Block B Address as mentioned in complaint no. 164/2001
1.Dhirubhai R. Gadhia A-103, Silicon Valley, Shivranjani Char Rasta, Satellite Road, Ahmedabad-380015.
2. Vimlaben J. Patel
189, Kochrab Patel Vas. Nr. Parabdi, Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad-380006.
3.Kirtibhai D. Mehta 4, Rucha Apartment, Opp. Law Garden Police Chowky, Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad. 4. Asitbhai M. Bhagwati, C/o. Smirbhai A. Shah GovindBhavan, 7, Shantiniketan Society, Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad-380006. Complainants Vs
1. M/s. Akshar Associates, Address as mentioned in complaint no. 164/2001
2. Shekhar Shah Associates (Deleted as per para 3 of the order of the Hon‟ble National Commission dated 6.9.2017)
3. Mr. Jagdish Associates Address as mentioned in complaint no. 164/2001
4. Pankaj G. Modi Address as mentioned in complaint no. 164/2001 …Opponents CC/167/2001
1. Consumer Protection Council Address as mentioned in complaint no. 164/2001
2. Akshardeep Apartment owners of Block B Address as mentioned in complaint no. 164/2001
1.Kantaben D. Patel Narendra D. Patel J-12, Birju Apartment, Nr. Azad Society, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad-380015.
2. Mardevbhai D. Bakshi, 21, Shrihari Apartment, Nr. VAsantkunj Apartment, Paldi, Ahmedabad-380007.
3. Shilpaben M.
