At 72, Arvind Budhkar continues to fight for the home he vacated over a decade ago as part of a long-pending redevelopment project in Tilak Nagar, Mumbai. Budhkar is one of 24 members of the Shankar Chhaya Co-operative Housing Society who are still awaiting possession of their promised flats, years after their building was demolished.
The society’s chairman recently sent a strongly worded letter to the developer, Shruti Raj Enterprise, demanding immediate possession of flats, overdue rent payments, and a clear construction timeline. Addressed to the developer’s managing director, Chinnaiah E. Gowda, the letter criticises the firm for failing to meet the latest deadline of 31st March 2025 for completing the sixth floor and securing an occupation certificate (OC).
The original development agreement, dated 23rd October 2007, stipulated that the 15-storey building would be completed within three years. Nearly 17 years later, only 11 floors have been constructed, and no work has taken place at the site for the past two years. Residents, many of whom are elderly, are currently living in rented accommodations across Maharashtra, while a few have passed away waiting for their new homes.
Each member is owed approximately ₹20 lakh in unpaid rent, brokerage, transportation expenses, and corpus fund. The society has warned the developer that the RERA deadline of 25th December 2025 will not be extended and demanded a written bond outlining revised deadlines and financial dues.
Budhkar’s personal case reflects the broader ordeal. In 2010, he vacated his 325 sq ft flat with the assurance of receiving a larger flat and rent. Though the Maharashtra State Consumer Commission ruled in his favour, the developer challenged it before the National Consumer Commission, where the case has been pending for three years.
Source: The Free Press Journal.
