CBI books Godrej Estate Developers, Berkeley Realtech in cheating case

Following the investigation, the CBI registered a case under sections 420 (cheating) read with 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with Section 13(2) read with 13(1) (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The controversy revolves around two projects — Godrej Eternia and Berkeley Square — whose occupation certificates (OCs) were cancelled by the UT Estate Office in July 2024 due to violations of environmental clearance and building plan conditions. The projects allegedly failed to secure mandatory permission from the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife, a key requirement under environmental clearance norms.

Authorities claim that the building plan, including the revised one, and occupation certificates were obtained through misrepresentation and concealment of facts. The environmental clearance was contingent on a Supreme Court mandate requiring wildlife clearance from the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife, a condition that was allegedly never fulfilled by the developers.