The dispute revolves around the Sports City group housing scheme...
The Allahabad High Court issued notices on Friday to the Noida Authority and other relevant government bodies in response to a petition filed by 44 flat owners of the Gaur Sportswood housing project in Sector 79. The petitioners sought the removal of a registry ban imposed in 2020 and the execution of tripartite sub-lease deeds for their apartments under the Sports City group housing scheme.
A bench of Justices Anish Kumar Gupta and Manoj Kumar Gupta issued the directive on December 13, instructing the Noida Authority to respond before the next hearing on January 10, 2025. The court noted, “The counsel for the respondent-development authority is to obtain instructions. List the case for fresh hearing on January 10, 2025.”
The dispute revolves around the Sports City group housing scheme, which required developers to allocate 70percent of the allotted land to world-class sports infrastructure. Instead, the developers prioritized residential construction. This led the Noida Authority to impose a ban in January 2021 on registries, map approvals, and occupancy certificates. The ban has affected housing projects in Sectors 78, 79, 150, and other areas, impacting approximately 30,000 apartment owners.
According to the petition, the Noida Authority had allotted 727,500 square meters of land to Xanadu Realcon Pvt. Ltd. under the Sports City scheme on March 28, 2011. Of this, 80,000 square meters were handed over on November 11, 2011, and later divided among associated companies. Gaur Sportswood Private Limited developed 800 apartments on 40,000 square meters of this land, assuring homebuyers of registries.
During the hearing, developers argued that insufficient land allocation by the authority hindered the development of sports facilities. However, the Noida Authority countered with claims of project violations, including revenue losses and failure to comply with the 70 percent land use requirement. In 2021, the authority recommended an inquiry into the land allotment process under the Sports City scheme, which is still ongoing.
The 44 petitioners filed a writ petition a month ago, asserting that the ban has prevented them from obtaining legal ownership of their homes, despite paying in full and meeting all their obligations. “We should not be penalized for the developer’s failure to create the sports facilities required by the scheme,” said petitioner Sanwarjeet Dasoundi.
Another petitioner, Vishal Garg, added, “The realtor has received the completion and financial no-dues certificates, both of which are essential for the registry. Yet, we are being denied our rights.”
The petitioners also questioned why the Noida Authority allowed construction and sales despite being aware of the violations. “Why did the authority allow innocent buyers to invest if they intended to block registries later…” asked Sharad K. Singh, another petitioner.
The apartment owners criticized the Uttar Pradesh government and the Noida Authority for delaying the issue under the guise of inquiries. “We demand the registry ban be lifted so that we can secure legal titles to our properties,” Garg said.
In response, Noida Authority CEO Lokesh M explained, “The ban was imposed in 2021 due to certain violations. The state government has since reviewed the matter. We will act by the High Court’s directive.”
The Brief. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now.