MAM
World Women Leadership Congress 2014 Honours Kavita Lakhani
MUMBAI: Kavita Lakhani, President, LinOpinion|GH (The PR division of Lowe LintasandPartners) was awarded the ‘WOMEN LEADERSHIP AWARD’ by the World Women Leadership Congress 2014 (WWLC) to honor the outstanding leadership and achievements demonstrated by her in the field of Public Relations and Corporate Communications.
The award is conferred to outstanding women professionals who have the vision, flair, acumen and professionalism to demonstrate excellent leadership and management skills in an organization, making changes and achieving results. Some of the other awardees were Moira Cullen, VP, Global Beverage Design, PepsiCo, Inc., ChristelQuek, Regional Social Business Lead, Samsung Asia, Patricia Pineau, Director Scientific Communication, L’Oréal Research & Innovation, Monica Tata, MD, HBO India, Navita Yadav, CEO, IL&FS Trust Company Ltd., Ameera Shah, MD & CEO, Metropolis Healthcare, Vibha Padalkar, Executive Director & CFO, HDFC Life and Poonam Kaul, Director – Communications, India, Middle East & Africa, Nokia India.
A skilled writer with acknowledged strategy and consulting skills, Kavita is one of India’s most respected PR professionals. A seasoned communications professional with 2 decades of experience in Public Relations, Kavita is Co-Chair India for the Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) for the Intepublic Group (IPG), a core committee member of Lintas India’s Sexual Harassment Committee and Crisis Response Team.
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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.
