MAM
Ankit Rihal takes charge of global partnerships at Meta India
MUMBAI: Ankit Rihal, a veteran of nearly a decade at Meta, has snagged a new gig as head – global partnerships, India. Rihal, who’s been a fixture at Meta for a solid nine years and two months, is now tasked with steering the ship for global alliances in the burgeoning Indian market.
With over 17 years in the rough-and-tumble world of media and entertainment, Rihal brings a proven knack for crafting impactful content ecosystems and forging strategic partnerships. He’s danced across everything from OTT and television to film, music, and gaming, making him a rather versatile chap. Before this latest move, he was busy leading creator & public figure partnerships for Meta’s Facebook and Instagram in India, managing the high-stakes relationships across entertainment, sports, fashion, and music – essentially, shaping the creator economy at scale.
During his Meta tenure, Rihal has been the brains behind some of India’s most iconic digital initiatives, including the likes of #SocialForGood, #LiveInYourLivingRoom, and the rather catchy Born on Instagram. He also played a pivotal role in rolling out flagship products such as Reels, Instagram Stories, and Threads in India, which, one might say, helped Meta cement its digital dominance.
His expertise spans from go-to-market strategy, digital IP creation, product adoption, content acquisition, stakeholder engagement to orchestrating large-scale cross-functional & team leadership.
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.
