'Many put their entire life-savings': Supreme Court orders CBI probe into DLF project in Gurgaon

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has ordered a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into alleged irregularities in DLF’s residential project “The Primus DLF Garden City” in Gurgaon, observing that the issues raised by homebuyers may be “just the tip of the proverbial iceberg”.A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan passed the directions while hearing a batch of appeals filed by homebuyers against DLF Home Developers Ltd., in connection with an order of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC).We make it clear that any person or authority, whomsoever required, shall assist the CBI,” the bench was quoted as saying by the website Bar and Bench.The court directed that the time spent on the inquiry would be treated as full-time duty for the officers nominated.

It asked the CBI Director to place on record the findings and progress of the inquiry on or before April 25, 2026.The court said it was “hard-pressed to reckon” that the case could be a one-off incident.“We are more concerned because if such instances occur in the organised real estate sector, one can well imagine the plight of ordinary consumers,” it observed.The dispute relates to the development of a group housing project in Sector 82A, Gurgaon.

In May 2012, DLF launched a marketing campaign for the project as a premium residential complex, highlighting two 24-metre-wide sector access roads as a key feature.Homebuyers booked apartments in 2012. An apartment buyer’s agreement promised possession by February 28, 2016. According to the buyers, the project was not completed by the promised date.A Partial Occupation Certificate was issued on October 7, 2016, but the buyers alleged that there were no permanent water or electricity connections and that infrastructure remained incomplete, according to Bar and Bench.They also said that one of the promised 24-metre access roads did not exist. The homebuyers approached the NCDRC in 2017.In 2023, the commission partly allowed the complaint, recording findings of deficiency in service and unfair trade practice. The buyers then moved the Supreme Court, alleging that the developer had not complied with the NCDRC’s directions.During the hearing, the bench said there appeared to be a “huge mismatch” between what the law required and what was alleged to have happened on the ground.“Prima facie, it is clear that there were many issues in respect of the representation made on behalf of DLF to the prospective buyers. These representations may not have been fully translated into reality,” the court said.It also flagged concerns about the role of statutory and regulatory authorities meant to safeguard consumer interests, noting that many people invest their life savings in buying a home.The matter has been listed for further hearing on April 28.