23 Apr 2026

The Enforcement Directorate has carried out another round of searches at premises linked to Kolkata-based Merlin Group as part of its ongoing money laundering investigation. The case relates to alleged irregularities in land acquisition, use of forged ownership documents and suspicious financial transactions in real estate projects. The agency is also reviewing possible connections with public officials and political figures. This follows earlier action taken in the past week, indicating a deeper probe into fund flows, project structures and ownership patterns under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.Read more

23 Apr 2026

The Allahabad High Court has stopped the proposed demolition of 48 residential and commercial properties in the Dibiyapur area of Auraiya district and ordered maintenance of status quo. The court has asked the state government to file its response within a week after petitioners challenged the demolition action linked to a government order. The matter was brought before the court on an urgent basis as demolition was expected to begin on April 16. The next hearing is scheduled for April 29, when further directions will be considered.Read more

23 Apr 2026

The National Green Tribunal has directed strict action against a brick kiln in Rewari after it was found operating in violation of environmental norms. The tribunal instructed the Haryana State Pollution Control Board to verify whether the unit holds a valid Consent to Operate and to shut it down immediately if it is found non-compliant. The matter arose from complaints of illegal functioning despite earlier cancellation of consent and administrative action. The case highlights ongoing concerns around enforcement gaps and pollution caused by brick kilns in the region.Read more

23 Apr 2026

The Supreme Court has ruled that safe road travel is a part of the right to life under Article 21, stressing that authorities must ensure safer highways and expressways. While hearing a suo motu case linked to serious road accidents, the Court issued nationwide directions aimed at reducing preventable deaths. It highlighted that highways carry a high share of fatalities despite forming a small part of the road network. The Court also ordered stricter enforcement against illegal parking, encroachments, and poor monitoring systems across states.Read more

22 Apr 2026

India is set to establish a dedicated bench within the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to handle cross-border insolvency cases, aiming to expedite resolution timelines and improve coordination with foreign jurisdictions. The move follows recent amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), which introduce a framework based on a modified UN model law. The specialised bench will comprise trained members equipped to manage complex international insolvency matters involving overseas assets and creditors. The initiative seeks to address delays seen in past high-profile cases and enhance recovery prospects, while strengthening India's insolvency ecosystem in line with global practices.Read more

22 Apr 2026

The Maharashtra government has approved the rollout of 60 privately operated property registration centres to improve efficiency and reduce congestion at existing sub-registrar offices. The centres will function alongside over 500 government facilities, with private operators managing infrastructure and front-end services while registration authority remains with government officials. The initiative will be implemented in phases, beginning with key cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Nagpur. Users opting for these centres will pay an additional service fee for improved amenities and faster processing. The move reflects a broader push to modernise property registration processes and enhance user experience, though concerns have been raised regarding added costs and the need to upgrade existing public infrastructure.Read more

Mumbai News Desk

22 Apr 2026

The Bombay High Court has permitted MHADA to use unclaimed flats in the Patra Chawl redevelopment for public housing if eligible residents fail to take possession by April 30. The court noted that completed homes should not remain unused in a city facing housing shortage. It also allowed delayed claim by residents with prior notice. The case includes concerns over construction quality, lease obligations, and misuse of rehabilitation units. The ruling aims to ensure better use of public housing stock while protecting the rights of original beneficiaries.Read more

22 Apr 2026

The Directorate of Enforcement carried out a search operation at the office of Hampton Sky Realty Ltd over a three-day period in the past week. The company informed stock exchanges about the development, stating that the financial implications of the action cannot be determined at this stage. While details of the investigation have not been disclosed, such actions are typically linked to financial scrutiny under laws related to money laundering or irregular transactions. The development adds to a series of enforcement actions seen recently in the real estate sector.Read more

22 Apr 2026

Himachal Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority has imposed an interim penalty of INR 70 lakh on two residential projects in Solan—Chester Hill-2 and Chester Hill-4—for multiple regulatory and financial violations. The action follows complaints from homebuyers and allottees’ associations, citing irregularities in fund management, deviations from approved plans, and deficiencies in essential services. The authority also flagged improper formation of resident welfare associations and alleged unauthorised commercial activities. Audit findings revealed serious lapses, including inter-mixing of funds and absence of project-specific accounts. The regulator has directed promoters to deposit penalties within 30 days and submit certified disclosures, while further investigations have been initiated across departments to assess land use violations and ownership concerns.Read more

22 Apr 2026

The Securities and Exchange Board of India has revised its ‘fit and proper person’ framework, removing automatic disqualification linked to pending FIRs, complaints or charge sheets in economic offence cases. The updated norms expand disqualification triggers upon conviction and introduce procedural safeguards, including a mandatory hearing before adverse classification. The regulator has also reduced the cooling-off period for registration applications to six months and removed the default five-year ineligibility clause. Intermediaries must now disclose disqualifying events within 15 working days, with additional clarity provided on group entities and corrective actions for key personnel.Read more