A Bengaluru homebuyer has been waiting over six years for promised amenities after paying ₹40 lakh for an apartment. According to reports from Business Standard, he approached Karnataka RERA for relief and partly won the case. Despite taking possession of his apartment on February 25, 2017, the complainant from Arasinakunte, Bengaluru rural, has been unable to access basic amenities including Cauvery water, BESCOM electricity meters, and DG generator power supply. The ruling establishes a crucial principle that simply handing over apartment keys does not constitute complete possession if promised facilities remain incomplete.
The aggrieved homebuyer claimed the builder assured him that Cauvery water will be provided for all apartments in the complex and collected a deposit of ₹14,895. However, as reported by Business Standard, even after six years, that promise remains unfulfilled. The builder had reportedly promised to provide two separate pipelines for borewell and treated water, but failed to install a separate overhead tank for storing Cauvery water. The complainant alleged that the builder has disconnected the DG generator backup power supply, causing severe hardship during BESCOM outages as he is highly dependent on refrigerator to preserve medicines.
After approaching Karnataka RERA, the complainant partly won the case in an order dated June 3, 2026. According to Business Standard reports, citing the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in Newtech Promoters and Developers v. State of Uttar Pradesh, K-RERA observed that the RERA Act has a retroactive effect, ensuring homebuyers are protected and developers fulfill promises in sale agreements. The authority ruled that the complainant was entitled to have assured amenities completed in functional condition, along with a refund of corpus fund. The ruling makes it clear that developers remain responsible until every contractual and statutory obligation is fulfilled, with possession not discharging promoter obligations.
Karnataka RERA in its judgement (complaint no. 00002/2024) dated June 3, 2026 passed the following order: the builder is directed to restore power supply and complete assured amenities as per agreement terms. The builder must transfer Khata, BESCOM meters, water meters, corpus fund, balance of escrow account and render accounts regarding maintenance to the authorized association of allottees within 90 days from the order date. As reported by Business Standard, the complainant alleged the builder has not provided any audited balance sheet or books of accounts since 2017, suspecting misappropriation of funds. The authority also rejected the developer's argument that RERA did not apply because the project's occupancy certificate had been issued before certain provisions came into force.
Legal experts emphasize that this ruling reinforces critical principles under RERA framework. Shivam Kunal from B Shanker Advocates LLP notes that the RERA Act is retroactive in nature and ensures protection to homebuyers by requiring developers to fulfill promises made in the sale agreement. Soayib Qureshi from PSL Advocates & Solicitors explains that the judgment recognizes that buying a home involves much more than acquiring four walls, extending to infrastructure, utilities and common facilities. Anmol Gandhi from Gandhi Law Associates confirms that amenities mentioned in agreements, approved plans or promotional material are enforceable commitments. The ruling also strengthens requirements for developers to promptly transfer maintenance accounts, corpus funds and common areas to residents' associations, reducing prolonged dependence on builders.
