In a significant regulatory action, the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) has barred the registration of sale, lease and conveyance deeds linked to a commercial colony in Gurugram’s Sector 53, citing serious violations of licence conditions and non-compliance with statutory requirements.
The directive has been issued under Rule 18(2) of the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Rules, 1976, effectively freezing all property transactions related to the project until further orders.
Licence Expired in 2005, Never Renewed
According to DTCP officials, the commercial colony was developed under Licence No. 13–19 of 2002, granted on June 26, 2002, for an area measuring 3.953 acres in Sector 53. The licence was issued in favour of Arenas Infotech Pvt. Ltd. and Senior Builders Pvt. Ltd., and was valid only until June 25, 2005.
Under Rule 13 of the 1976 Rules, licence holders are required to apply for renewal at least one month before expiry. However, officials confirmed that no renewal application was ever submitted, rendering the licence invalid for nearly two decades.
₹87.6 Lakh in Dues Still Pending
District Town Planner (Enforcement) Amit Madholia stated that statutory dues amounting to approximately ₹87.6 lakh, along with applicable interest, remain unpaid by the licence holders.
Due to continued non-compliance, the enforcement wing directed the sub-registrar to block all registries linked to the colony and ensure a “red entry” is made in revenue records to prevent any future property transactions.
FIR Sought Against Builders and Directors
Escalating the matter further, DTCP has written to police authorities seeking the registration of an FIR against the owners and directors of both developer firms.
Officials said the alleged violations include:
◆Breach of licence conditions
◆Violation of the bilateral agreement executed with DTCP
◆Non-compliance with provisions of the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act, 1975
Police have been requested to examine offences under Sections 10 and 12 of the Act, which deal with unauthorised development and penalties.
Part of Wider Enforcement Drive
DTCP officials clarified that the action is part of a broader enforcement exercise targeting long-pending cases involving expired licences, unpaid government dues and unauthorised developments across Gurugram and other urban centres.
Further steps, including recovery proceedings, prosecution and additional regulatory measures, will depend on the outcome of the police investigation and the compliance response from the developers.
Warning for Property Buyers and Investors
Officials advised property buyers and investors to verify licence validity and compliance status before entering into any real estate transaction, particularly in older commercial and residential projects.
The Sector 53 case serves as a strong warning that expired approvals and regulatory violations can lead to sudden transaction freezes, impacting buyers, tenants and investors alike.
