Around 150 people gathered before Sovereign Unnathi Apartments in Ramamurthynagar on Sunday and protested against the builder’s decision to increase prices, which they termed as breach of agreement.
The protestors claimed that more than 1,500 people have invested in two-bedroom flats measuring 856 sqft.
Cost Factor
The protesters said they had agreed to a base price of Rs 14 lakh which, including additional taxes, BESCOM and BWSSB registrations, came to around Rs 17 lakh, and most of them had already paid 90 per cent of it.
“But we received a letter from the builder asking for an additional Rs 8.51 lakh calling it a reimbursement for money spent by the real estate company. They said the reason was extraordinary inflation,” said a techie who had booked a flat in the first phase of the construction in 2010.
He said the first phase was due to be completed in November 2012, but the construction is still only 60 per cent complete.
“The buildings have no water supply, electricity or lifts. The second phase was due in August this year and they haven’t even started building it yet,” the techie said.
“The buyers of the apartment have already booked an FIR at Ramamurthynagar police station against the builder. In addition to this, we filed 400 cases in the Bangalore Urban District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum and 45 in the state forum,” he said.
Another buyer alleged that they had sent a letter threatening them with dire consequences if they pursued the matter after a protest staged earlier in front of the builders’ head office on New BEL Road.
Builder’s charge
Meanwhile, the builder, who did not wish to be named, alleged that a section of allottees with vested interests were behind this and they are instigating other allottees.
“We request all our allottees not to get misled by misrepresentations and talk to us directly on any of the issues,” the builder said.