Paid ₹95.51 Lakh for a Commercial Unit, Assured Returns Stopped — What Remedy Was Sought?

Buying a commercial property is often linked to an expectation of regular income. When a developer also agrees to pay assured returns, those payments can become an important part of the transaction for the buyer.

But what happens when the buyer has already paid almost the entire consideration, the assured returns stop, and there are concerns about the progress of construction?

A recent consumer complaint before the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chandigarh raises these issues in relation to a commercial unit in a real-estate project at Chhat, Zirakpur.

The complainants were represented by Advocate Shubham Aggarwal along with Advocate Suksham Aggarwal. The State Commission admitted the complaint and issued notice to the opposite parties.

₹95,51,231 Paid Towards the Commercial Unit

According to the submissions recorded in the order, the complainants had booked a commercial unit for the purpose of earning their livelihood through self-employment.

The unit had a stated super area of 1015.65 sq. ft., together with the proportionate share in the common area.

The order records that the complainants had paid ₹95,51,231 to the opposite party as the total consideration for the unit.

An allotment letter was issued on 27 February 2023, and an Agreement to Sell was also entered into on the same date.

These figures are important because this was not a case involving only a booking amount or an initial instalment. As recorded by the Commission, ₹95.51 lakh had already been paid towards the unit.

What Happened to the Assured Returns?

The dispute also involved assured returns. As recorded in the order, the complainants had received:₹9,04,658 up to June 2024, and ₹3,30,004 from July 2024 to October 2024.

According to the complainants, no further assured return was paid thereafter.This became one of the issues behind the consumer complaint.

What About Possession?

There is an important detail here that should not be overlooked.

Under Clause 7.1 of the Agreement for Sale, the possession date recorded in the order was 27 February 2028.

Therefore, this was not simply a case where the contractual possession date had already expired.

Instead, counsel for the complainants submitted that possession was unlikely to be delivered because, according to them, only the structure existed and no further construction was taking place.

That distinction matters when understanding what was actually placed before the Commission.

What Relief Was Sought?

The complainants approached the State Consumer Commission seeking refund of the amount deposited after deducting the assured returns already received.

The claim was stated to be based on Clause 7.5 of the Agreement for Sale.

Compensation, interest and other allied reliefs were also sought.

At this stage, these are reliefs claimed by the complainants. The order dated 2 June 2026 does not finally decide whether those amounts are payable.

What Did the State Consumer Commission Decide?

After hearing counsel for the complainants and examining the record, the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chandigarh found that, prima facie, the complaint fell within its: territorial jurisdiction, pecuniary jurisdiction, andwas within limitation.

The complaint was consequently admitted and ordered to be registered.

Notice was also directed to be issued to the opposite parties for 17 July 2026 through registered AD cover, WhatsApp and email, if available.

Why This Order Matters

This order is useful because disputes involving commercial property and assured returns can raise an initial question that many buyers do not consider: can the matter be entertained as a consumer complaint?

Here, the complainants specifically stated that the commercial unit had been purchased for earning their livelihood through self-employment.

The Commission, at the admission stage, examined the record and found that the complaint prima facie satisfied its territorial and pecuniary jurisdiction and was within limitation.

The matter also demonstrates that real-estate disputes do not always begin only after the contractual possession date has passed. Depending upon the agreement and the facts, issues concerning assured returns, construction progress, refund clauses and other contractual obligations may arise earlier.

For buyers dealing with commercial property disputes in Zirakpur, Chandigarh Tricity, Mohali and surrounding areas, the agreement, payment record, purpose of purchase, assured-return terms and specific relief being sought can all become important.

At Siddhik Law Chambers, consumer complaints involving real-estate transactions, commercial units, refund disputes and proceedings before consumer commissions are examined according to the agreement, payment record and applicable legal framework.