New Delhi. Shopkeepers at Metraplex East Mall in Radhu Palace, East Delhi, staged a protest outside the mall on Sunday after allegedly failing to receive possession of shops they had purchased. The protesters demanded that an FIR be registered against developer JS Infrastructure and those responsible be arrested. The shopkeepers alleged that they had paid the full amount for their shops years ago but had still not received actual possession.
According to the affected shopkeepers, they invested their life savings in purchasing shops at the mall in 2011. At the time, they were allegedly told that the project layout had been approved by the concerned authority and that the shops were being developed in accordance with the sanctioned plan. The buyers said they paid the agreed amounts and subsequently completed the registration of their shops. However, despite possession being shown on paper, they allegedly never received physical possession that would allow them to use the properties.
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The shopkeepers have alleged that against the 110 shops approved in the sanctioned plan, around 240 shops and offices were constructed and sold to different buyers. According to the victims, more than ₹100 crore was allegedly collected through these sales. They claimed that additional construction was carried out by altering the approved layout, which subsequently affected the project’s mandatory approvals and clearances.
The protesting shopkeepers also alleged that the additional construction resulted in the completion certificate and fire NOC remaining pending. They said that until the dispute over the construction and sanctioned layout is resolved, buyers have been unable to derive the actual benefit of properties for which they had already paid. Several shopkeepers further alleged that after collecting the money and completing the documentation process, the developer stopped responding to their complaints.
The affected buyers said they approached various legal forums after failing to obtain possession. The matter was taken before the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), where the shopkeepers also raised their grievances against the developer. The dispute subsequently reached the single and double benches of the High Court. According to the protesters, the matter later reached the Supreme Court as well, but their concerns remained unresolved.
The protesters’ main allegation is that the concerned authority failed to take effective action against the mall despite the court’s order. According to the affected shopkeepers, the High Court on March 17, 2023, directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to seal the mall and remove the alleged illegal construction. They claimed that despite the order, the mall has not been sealed and no effective action has been taken to remove the additional construction.
The shopkeepers said they have been seeking possession of their properties and action over the alleged irregularities for years. The protesters demanded enforcement of the court order, a fresh examination of the legality of the construction and a detailed investigation into the money collected from buyers and the alleged sale of additional shops. They also demanded action against those found responsible.
The affected buyers warned that they would pursue further legal remedies if their complaints were not addressed promptly. They said their money has remained stuck for years, placing several families under financial pressure, and urged the authorities to take clear and effective action to resolve the dispute.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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