The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday issued a notice of motion regarding a plea from Godrej Properties Limited, which is seeking to quash a criminal case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul of the high court has called for a response from the CBI by May 20, marking a significant development in the case.
Godrej Properties, succeeding M/s Godrej Estate Developers Pvt. Ltd and Godrej Sea View Properties Limited, is currently embroiled in legal troubles concerning its 5-acre commercial complex, Eternia, located in Industrial Area Phase-1 of the city. The property has connections to former BJP mayor Anup Gupta, adding a layer of political intrigue to the case.
The CBI has accused the firm of cheating and criminal conspiracy related to obtaining environmental and wildlife clearances for the Eternia complex. Notably, on July 17, 2024, the estate office took a drastic step by revoking the occupation certificate of Godrej Eternia. This action mirrors similar legal challenges faced by Berkeley Square, another commercial entity in the region.
In its plea to the high court, Godrej Properties has vehemently argued that the FIR lodged by the CBI constitutes a gross misuse of legal process. The company contends that the FIR does not appropriately identify any public servants involved, nor does it specify instances of corruption that would necessitate invoking the Prevention of Corruption Act. Additionally, Godrej Properties points out that the issue regarding environmental clearances is still pending before the Ministry of Environment and Forests, yet the CBI proceeded with registering the FIR.
