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Bombay High Court Orders Demolition of 65 Illegal Buildings in Dombivli

Following a recent court ruling, the Bombay High Court (HC) has directed the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) to demolish 65 unauthorised buildings in Dombivli. This decision directly impacts around 6,500 flat owners, many of whom claim they were misled by builders and are now seeking state intervention. The Unauthorised Construction Scam In 2022, architect Sandeep Patil uncovered a massive real estate fraud where builders allegedly sold apartments in illegal buildings using forged RERA certificates. Investigations revealed that between 2019 and 2022, builders submitted fake documents to obtain RERA certifications and approvals for their projects. The Bombay HC intervened, leading to arrests of those involved in the scam and subsequent demolition orders. Homebuyers Caught in the Legal Battle Many homeowners claim they purchased flats after reviewing RERA certificates, approved building plans, and home loan approvals from nationalised banks. Some buyers even received financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), further reinforcing their trust in these projects. Buyers argue that builders, KDMC officials, and RERA authorities failed to act during construction and issued approvals without proper verification. Following the demolition order in November 2024, affected residents filed a petition requesting additional time for regularisation. The court initially granted a three-month extension until February 2025. Court s Final Verdict & Demolition Progress In the most recent hearing on February 13, 2025, KDMC reported receiving 38 regularisation applications out of 65. However, all applications were rejected due to non-compliance with the regularization scheme. As a result, the High Court upheld its demolition order. As of December 10, 2024: Six buildings were demolished, and four others partially torn down. Future Actions: A delegation led by Aditya Thackeray is set to meet with CM Devendra Fadnavis to discuss potential relief measures for the affected families. Implications for Homebuyers & Real Estate Regulations This incident underscores the importance of stricter enforcement in real estate regulations to prevent such scams and protect homebuyers. Moving forward, authorities across different states are expected to implement more rigorous checks on project approvals. For buyers, this case highlights the need for caution when investing in newly launched or under-construction properties. Verifying legal approvals, conducting due diligence, and consulting legal experts before purchasing can help avoid potential risks in real estate investments.