TG-RERA slaps Rs 32.17 lakh penalty on Janapriya Projects over pre-registration booking 

Property Pulse 

The Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TG-RERA) has imposed a Rs 32.17 lakh penalty on Janapriya Projects Pvt Ltd for collecting an advance towards a flat in its ‘Sitara at Janapriya Lake Front’ project before obtaining RERA registration, highlighting the regulatory risk of accepting bookings or advances before a project is registered.

The order, dated September 18, 2026, came on a complaint filed by Sridhar Bagaluri and Shrisha Bagaluri, who booked a 1,576 sq ft flat in Block A2 of the project at Keesara, Medchal-Malkajgiri district. The flat was priced at Rs 26.05 lakh. The buyers paid Rs 20,000 on March 30, 2019, and another Rs 2,24,608 on August 2, 2019. TG-RERA found that the promoter had received Rs 2,44,608 before the project was registered with RERA on October 5, 2019.

According to the Authority, the promoter had issued an allotment letter and accepted the booking amount before registration. This was found to be a violation of Section 3(1) of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, which requires projects to be registered before they are advertised, marketed or offered for sale. The complaint also raised concerns over delayed possession and pending basic facilities.

The promoter said the flat was ready and the buyers had delayed taking possession. However, TG-RERA noted that the Occupancy Certificate was obtained only on September 30, 2024, after the promised possession date of August 20, 2024. A joint inspection in October 2025 found that working HMWS&SB water supply and individual electricity meter connections for Block A2 were still pending or under process.

TG-RERA noted that a flat cannot be treated as ready for possession if basic facilities such as water and electricity are not available. Since the buyers wanted to take possession instead of cancelling the booking, the Authority directed the promoter to pay 10.70% annual interest on the amount paid from August 21, 2024, until actual ready-to-move-in possession is given. The interest due up to the date of the order has to be paid within 60 days, followed by monthly interest payments until possession.

The Authority also clarified that the buyers can separately seek compensation and other expenses before the Adjudicating Officer. For homebuyers, the order is a reminder to check a project's RERA registration before paying any booking amount or advance. Buyers should also check the Occupancy Certificate and basic services such as water and electricity before accepting possession.