Godrej Properties Challenges CBI FIR Over Alleged Environmental Violations in Chandigarh Project

New Delhi, Feb 26 – Godrej Properties has expressed surprise over the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filing a First Information Report (FIR) against the company for alleged environmental violations in its completed Chandigarh project. The real estate firm has vowed to take legal measures to protect its customers' interests.

The CBI registered the FIR against Berkeley Realtech Ltd (now RSA Motors Pvt Ltd) and Godrej Estate Developers on allegations of corruption and environmental non-compliance in developing projects within the eco-sensitive zones of the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary and City Bird Sanctuary. The investigation stems from a preliminary inquiry initiated in 2023 following a complaint by an undersecretary at Punjab Raj Bhawan.

Godrej Properties’ Response​

Reacting to the FIR, a Godrej Properties spokesperson stated, “We are surprised by this development, which has just come to our attention. This action seems to be linked to previous notices we received last year regarding the Godrej Eternia project, citing a lack of National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) clearance as a violation of Environmental Clearance (EC).”

The company clarified that these notices were legally challenged in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, arguing that the Supreme Court never imposed a blanket 10-km eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) rule.

Further justifying its stance, the company highlighted that:

• The project site is 6.6 km away from the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary. In contrast, the Chandigarh Administration had officially set ESZ limits at a maximum of 2.75 km through a Gazette Notification dated January 18, 2017.
• The EC never mandated NBWL clearance, and all project approvals were obtained lawfully, including the Occupation Certificate (OC) and Consent to Operate (CTO).
• No legal violations have been committed, as the relevant authorities granted approvals without any requirement for NBWL clearance.

The company further noted that criminalizing an administrative decision 10 years after project completion raises concerns.

Legal Stand and Future Steps​

Asserting its commitment to legal compliance, Godrej Properties affirmed that it has always adhered to environmental norms and approval conditions. The company seeks legal advice and will pursue all necessary actions to safeguard its project and customers.

Godrej Properties, a key player in the Indian real estate market, maintains a strong presence in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Pune, and Bengaluru.