MAM
Aakhya India appoints Archana Dutta as CEO
MUMBAI: Aakhya India has roped in Archana Dutta as their CEO. Prior to joining Aakhya, Dutta served as the director of loyalty at Hyatt Hotels for 5.5 years where she gained skills as a trainer, coach, and strategist. She also spent 17 years at Lufthansa German Airlines; there, she was the loyalty head for India and was at the forefront of corporate sales.
In her new role, she will expand the corporate portfolio for the company. She will also focus on developing and leading significant tools and capabilities within the Aakhya India team to help deliver enhanced integrated solutions to clients.
Aakhya India founder-president Kavita Datta said, “We’re extremely delighted to welcome Archana as the chief executive officer. Our niche for the last many years has been focused on 360-degree communications solutions to various state governments and ministries and multinational corporates, and we are now diversifying not just our client portfolio but also our services and deliverables. We believe that Archana’s dedication and experience will prove to be unmatched and we look forward to working with her to achieve new milestones.”
“It’s a apleasure to join Aakhya India as the CEO. Due to the pandemic, I have had to hit the ground running to ensure insulating our clients and partners in the best possible way. It’s amazing to see the team working so hard- some remotely and some on the ground during these difficult times, Dutta said.
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.
