JUDGEMENT
INDU MALHOTRA,J. -
(1.)The present batch of Appeals has been filed by the Appellant-Developer, to challenge the judgment passed by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ("National Commission") directing refund of the amounts deposited by the Apartment Buyers in the project "The Corridors" developed in Sector 67-A, Gurgaon, Haryana, on account of the inordinate delay in completing the construction and obtaining the Occupation Certificate. Aggrieved by the said Judgment, the Appellant-Developer has filed the present batch of Appeals under Section 23 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 ("Consumer Protection Act").
Since common issues have arisen for consideration, they are being decided by a common Judgment.
For the sake of brevity, the facts in Civil Appeal No. 5785 of 2019 are being referred to as the lead matter.
(2.)The Department of Town and Country Planning granted a license to Respondent No.3 - Precision Realtors Pvt. Ltd. and Respondent No.4 - Blue Planet Infra Developers and Madeira Conbuild Pvt. Ltd. for developing a group housing colony on a vast tract of land admeasuring about 37.5125 acres where multiple towers comprising of 1356 apartments were to be constructed. Subsequently, the license for construction was transferred to the Appellant - Developer.
(3.)On 23.07.2013, the Building Plans of the project were sanctioned by the Directorate of Town and Country Planning, Haryana. Clause 3 of the sanctioned Plan stipulated that NOC/ Clearance from the Fire Authority shall be submitted within 90 days from the date of issuance of the sanctioned Building Plans.