Builders sentenced for non-compliance of consumer forum's

In a rare order, the Thane District Consumer Redressal Forum today sentenced two local builders to two years' imprisonment for non-compliance of its ruling.
Today's order was passed by president of the forum Umesh Javalikar and member N D Kadam against Ashok Sardarmal Parekh, and Mahendra Deepchand Jain.
Jain is vice president of Thane unit of NCP.
The forum also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on them. If the fine is not paid, they will have to undergo additional three month's imprisonment.
Vasudeo Atmaram Gujare had filed a complaint against the two in connection with delayed possession of a flat, and the forum had on October 3, 2009 directed them to pay Gujare a compensation of Rs 1.75 lakh, and hand over possession of a flat immediately.

Parekh and Jain appealed against the order but lost.
The national consumers forum observed while rejecting the appeal that a dispute between the two builders themselves could not be a justification for delay in handing over possession to the buyer.
However, they did not comply with the order, therefore the district forum today sentenced them to imprisonment.