MAM
Snapdeal appoints former HUL brand director Kanika Kalra as VP marketing
MUMBAI Snapdeal appointed Kanika Kalra as vice president – marketing. A seasoned global marketing professional with a career spanning over 12 years, Kanika joins Snapdeal after several triumphant stints at Hindustan Unilever limited, Pepsico and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Limited.
At Snapdeal, Kanika will be focused on making the business more customer-centric and ensuring creativity and impact in all communication.
Welcoming Kanika, Snapdeal co founder Rohit Bansal said, “We are thrilled to welcome Kanika. She comes with a vast and distinguished experience in brand marketing. As we look at defining more innovative solutions for our customers, I am sure she will add tremendous value and further fuel our growth”.
Speaking about her appointment, Kalra said, “As ecommerce continues to revolutionize the Indian economy, I am confident that Snapdeal is poised to play an even bigger and more impactful role in the coming years. I am excited to be a part of Snapdeal’s journey and to shepherd the company’s growth as the country’s most preferred retail brand.”
During her eight year stint as the Global Brand Director for Hindustan Unilever Limited, she spearheaded key innovations in the skincare category. Prior to that she was a part of the brand marketing teams at Pepsico and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Limited.
Kanika holds a Post Graduate degree in Marketing from IIM, Lucknow and a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Delhi University.
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
