In a shocking turn of events, a Bengaluru resident has approached the police after discovering that the apartment he had purchased in 2017 was resold by the developer, Ozone Group, to another buyer.
Apartment Resold Amid Delays
Bipul Bhattacharya, who invested ₹87 lakh in a flat at the Urbana Avenue project in Devanahalli, north Bengaluru, was stunned to learn that his apartment had been resold in June 2023. Apartment number 503, located on the fifth floor of tower Q, was originally scheduled for possession in 2019 but remains incomplete to this day.
“I booked the apartment in 2017 and waited for years, only to find out it was sold to someone else,” Bhattacharya said. Following the discovery, he filed a complaint at the Devanahalli Police Station. Officials have confirmed that a preliminary investigation is underway, and an FIR will be lodged shortly.
Developer Faces Mounting Complaints
This incident adds to a series of allegations against Ozone Group. The Ozone Urbana township, a sprawling 185-acre development near Bengaluru Airport, has faced significant delays since construction began in 2014. The project includes over 800 apartments, but progress has stalled, with multiple complaints registered with Karnataka RERA.
In a significant ruling earlier this year, the Karnataka High Court directed the state government to recover ₹93.6 crore in refunds owed to homebuyers from the developer within four months.
Previous FIRs and Allegations of Fraud
Ozone Group is no stranger to legal trouble. In December 2023, Bengaluru Crime Branch registered an FIR against the company’s promoters following allegations of defrauding buyers of over ₹3300 crore. The complaint, filed by the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) of Ozone Urbana Township, stated that the company collected ₹1500 crore through mortgage loans in buyers’ names and an additional ₹1800 crore directly from buyers.
Another similar incident occurred in October 2023 when a buyer, Shashikanta Gupta, discovered his apartment had been resold in November 2021, despite its expected possession date of 2022.
Homebuyers Seek Justice
Frustrated by repeated delays and alleged malpractices, buyers are turning to courts and law enforcement for relief. Bhattacharya, along with others, has also approached forums such as the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and Karnataka High Court, which in 2021 ordered an end to pre-EMI payments in his name.
The unfolding situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by homebuyers, raising questions about accountability and regulatory oversight in Bengaluru’s real estate sector.
