MAM
Narain Karthikeyan inaugurates Castrol Autocar Performance Show 2005
MUMBAI: The Castrol Autocar Performance Show 2005, which is a display of high end, super performance cars kicked off a couple of days ago at the Nehru Centre in Worli, Mumbai. The four-day long show was inaugurated by India’s racing champion Narain Karthikeyan.
Spread over two floors the Castrol Autocar Performance Show 2005 features over 36 motor manufacturers, designers and accessory manufacturers.
Kartikeyan says, “This is the first time that a collection of high end, super performance cars has been put together in India. Besides being a treat for enthusiasts, the show offers a fascinating glimpse at some of the most advanced vehicles in the world and is set to become the benchmark for automotive shows in India”.
The star attraction of the show was the Castrol World Rally Championship Simulator where a driver navigates the Castrol World Rally Championship winning car on one of the rally courses, while sitting in Mumbai. This is the first time that a simulator of this sort has been brought into India.
Castrol India VP marketing Sudhanshu Vats says, “Castrol has had a long standing association with motorsport and Formula One and our association with this show is a natural extension of Castrol’s brand promise of superior performance. High performance cars and bikes demand superior lubricants and Castrol is uniquely poised to meet the grueling performance needs of automobiles in motor sport and high end cars. We are delighted that car and bike lovers will get this unique opportunity to get a close, up-front look at some of the most powerful automotive machines in the world”.
Visitors can view performance cars, including the Porsche Boxster, the Roadster, the Cayenne SUV the Porsche 911 Coupe, the 500bhp BMW M5 Sports Saloon the Rolls Royce Phantom, the 385bhp Range Rover Sport, the 286bhp Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, the Polaris All-Terrain-Vehicle, the Chinkara ATV, amongst others. The bikes on display include the Suzuki Hayabusa-the fastest bike in the world, the green devil, the Kawasaki ZX 12R, the Moto GP-bred Yamaha R1, Honda CBR 600RR and the Harley-Davidson V-Rod.
Sharing the motivation behind the launch of the show, Autocar India editor Hormazd Sorabjee said, “This show is the ultimate destination for those who have a passion for cars and bikes. It is an excellent platform for the automotive industry to showcase exciting products and new concepts to a knowledgeable and influential group of enthusiasts. The show has received excellent support from all sections of the industry and it is heartening that in its inaugural year, it lives up to its promise of being the ultimate show for high performance cars in India”.
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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.
