Flat Buyers of ‘Hi-Tech Paradise’ lodge case against Tirupati Panigrahi
The Hi-Tech Paradise Owners’ Welfare Association, a conglomerate of 311 flat owners, who are yet to receive their flats, have lodged a complaint against the Hi-Tech Builders at the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of the Crime Branch. They held a press meet today to slam the builder, police and EOW, which have turned a blind eye to their problems and demands.
They had booked flats in 2011 at “Hi-Tech PARADISE” residential project initiated by M/S Hi-Tech Edifice (P) Ltd., Bhubaneswar. The builder had promised to provide the possession of their flats by December 2014. However, even after over four years, they are still awaiting possession. Notably, the project is not yet completed.
The duped customers have alleged that Hi-Tech builders have so far collected over Rs 37 crore from the 311 buyers, which is over 58% of the total project cost. Despite putting their hard earned money, they are yet to get the flats and also paying the EMI on bank loans.
They have filed the complaint against Tirupati Panigrahi, Chairman & MD, Tirupati Choudhury, Excecutive Director, and Madhusudan Panigrahi, Director. The builders have reportedly diverted the money towards fulfillment of Hon’ble Supreme Court directive to deposit Rs 63.5 crore.
On 18th October 2015, the MD of Hi-Tech Group, called a meeting of all flat buyers and asked them to deposit Rs 30,000 each to resume the construction work. However, the flat owners refused to trust him further and declined the proposal. As a result, Tirupati Panigrahi and Madhusudan Panigrahi reportedly misbehaved with them and turned defiant, saying they won’t provide any flat to them at Hi-Tech Paradise Project. They further claimed the support of higher authorities at the government and police.
On 14th May, 2015, the flat owners had lodged a case against Tirupati Panigrahi at the E.O.W. of Crime Branch, Bhubaneswar. The EOW had accept the complaint filed by Mr. Amit Das under Govt. of Odisha Resolution No. 6885/BBSR Dt. 17.02.2012 (Constitution of Economic Offence Wing, Land & Building racket/frauds). The flat buyers had also registered their individual grievance at the District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum, Puri (Case No. CC/334/2015), which was filed by Mr. Amit Das and subsequently by 76 others.
After failing to get a positive response from the EOW, District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum, Puri, Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell, Commissionerate Police, they had no option but to hold a press meet to list their problems before the media and requested them to take up the matter in the larger interest of the people.