HC tells architect to inspect 4 New Cuffe Parade flats

Mumbai: The Bombay high court has appointed an architect to inspect four flats in a plush New Cuff Parade project to check veracity of claims made by a buyer about the substandard construction.

The high court passed the order while hearing a defamation case filed by Lodha Developers Ltd against two of its customers and an accomplice who have posted videos and blogs on social media regarding the quality of construction and security concerns at the project at Wadala.

The buyers, Shilpi Jaysingh and her husband Amit, who claimed to have paid Rs 6 crore for two flats on the 31st floor of Dioro building in New Cuff Parade project, had alleged on social media that there were shortfalls in terms of quality and area. Another person Krishnaraj Rao had made videos of the said 'substandard work'.

Justice K.R. Sriram, while hearing the suit, said, “The court-appointed architect will visit the two flats which defendant nos. 2 and 3 (Shilpi and Amit) have purchased from plaintiff (Lodha Developers) and give a report on the condition of the flats, and, if there are any defects, list them and give possible cause for them.”

The judge also asked the architect to visit a similar flat to compare the work done in that flat with that of those sold to the Jaisinghs. As per the court order, the defendants have been permitted to remain present with their architect at the time of inspection. The architect has been asked to give its report to the court and all the parties on or before January 25.

At the same time, Justice Sriram had directed the defendants not to upload any videos or write any blogs regarding the developer or its group of companies.