Supreme Court pulls up ED, Delhi police over delay in Unitech trial, seeks case details

The court said it would create a special court to exclusively hear the cases and ensure there was no further delay in providing relief to the homebuyers.
Honorable Supreme Court of India
Honorable Supreme Court of IndiaPhoto / Express
Updated on
1 min read

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up investigating agencies over the delay in the trial against Unitech directors and directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Delhi Police to submit details of all cases against them to ensure speedy justice for 22,000 homebuyers.

"Where has the money gone? Has it travelled beyond country? What is the role of the investigating agency? Law should be lucid. Confusion created by law is benefitting accused," said a Bench of Justices Pardiwala and K Viswanathan.

The court said it would create a special court to exclusively hear the cases and ensure there was no further delay in providing relief to the homebuyers.

"Law should take its own course but no further leeway should be given to accused persons," it said.

The court posted the matter for further hearing on September 30.

Unitech Ltd, once the country's second-largest real estate firm, has been under a government-appointed board since 2020 after the Supreme Court removed the Chandra brothers following a forensic audit that found alleged diversion and siphoning of homebuyers' money to tax havens, including Cyprus.

The forensic audit found that around Rs 14,000 crore collected from homebuyers had been diverted. The ED had earlier told the court that it had attached properties worth Rs 650 crore.

The Supreme Court also asked the new board and banks to suggest an amicable resolution to help the 22,000 homebuyers get their homes.

X
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com