Panaji: Nine home buyers who paid for flats in Mapusa’s ‘Sai Ishwari’ housing complex nearly a decade ago remain without possession after the North Goa district and sessions court ruled it cannot hand over the apartments as the project lacks a final occupancy certificate.The court referred the matter back to the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), stating it was an executing court with limited powers. “Since the construction/project is not yet completed and has no final occupancy certificate, the possession of the flats cannot be handed over as ordered. Hence, issue a letter to the RERA informing the same and for future course of action,” the court’s order read.Goa RERA had passed an order directing the builder, Hrija Construction, to complete the project and hand over possession of flats to the complainants by April 30, 2020. The developer did not comply. After exhausting its own enforcement mechanisms, Goa RERA referred the matter to the North Goa district and sessions court in August 2024 for execution.The buyers, including Swaroop Natekar, Sandeep Tople, Dattatray Dalvi, Andrio D Costa and Sulbha Mishal, had booked flats in the project launched in 2015 at Karaswada, Bardez, with possession promised by 2019.Now, with the court referring the matter back to RERA for further action, the buyers are anxious and frustrated.The buyers, who booked flats in the project launched in 2015, had signed sale agreements before the Mapusa sub-registrar with possession promised within four years. The project comprised 17 flats.Despite repeated follow-ups, the buyers alleged they were given false assurances by the developers.The nine homebuyers had also lodged a complaint with Mapusa police alleging cheating. They additionally sought a probe into how VPK Urban Cooperative Credit Society sanctioned a loan to the builder against the mortgaged residential complex.The buyers now find themselves caught between the judiciary and RERA with no clear resolution in sight.
