Godrej Properties is facing legal scrutiny after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a case against it for alleged environmental violations. The company has expressed shock over the development and maintains that it has followed all legal procedures for its projects. The case is related to Godrej Eternia, a commercial project in Chandigarh’s Industrial Area. Another company, Berkeley Realtech Ltd (now RSA Motors Pvt Ltd), is also facing similar allegations. According to the CBI, both companies failed to obtain mandatory environmental clearances before proceeding with construction.
The main issue in the case is the proximity of the projects to two protected wildlife sanctuaries, Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary and City Bird Sanctuary. Under environmental regulations, any construction within 10 km of a protected area requires approval from the National Board of Wildlife (NBWL). The CBI claims that this clearance was not obtained, making the projects potentially illegal. The investigation began after a complaint was filed in 2023 by an official from Punjab Raj Bhawan (Governor’s office). Following an inquiry, the CBI filed an FIR, marking the first step in legal proceedings.
Godrej Properties has denied the allegations, stating that it followed all required procedures before beginning construction. The company argues that similar notices were issued last year, which it had challenged in court. The company also refers to a 2017 Gazette Notification from Chandigarh’s administration, which defined the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) boundary as 2.75 km from the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary. Since Godrej Eternia is 6.6 km away, the company believes it is not in violation of any environmental laws. Additionally, the High Court of Punjab and Haryana has previously ruled that Chandigarh does not have a fixed 10 km ESZ, further strengthening Godrej Properties’ legal position.
One of the key concerns for Godrej Properties is the timing of the case. The company points out that the project was completed 10 years ago, and at that time, all necessary approvals had been obtained, including the Occupancy Certificate (OC), which confirms the building is legally ready for use, and the Consent to Operate (CTO), required before starting commercial operations. The company argues that revisiting the NBWL clearance issue after a decade is unfair, given that other approvals were granted at the time of construction.
Godrej Properties has assured its customers and investors that it will defend its position in court. The outcome of the case will depend on how the courts interpret past approvals and environmental laws. The company remains confident in its legal compliance and has stated that it will take all necessary steps to resolve the matter.
