MAM
JW Marriott Pune appoints Abhirath Sah as director of sales & marketing
MUMBAI: JW Marriott Pune, one of the most-reputed/luxurious hotels in the city, has further added to its dedicated and experienced team with the appointment of Abhirath Sah as the new Director of Sales & Marketing. In his new role, Abhirath will be responsible for the overall functioning and growth of market share for the hotel, and will spearhead a team of highly skilled professionals while developing sales & revenue strategies for segment-wise growth.
With a vast experience and a deep understanding of the hospitality sector, Abhirath joins the hotel from The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace, where in his capacity as Director of Sales & Marketing, he was in charge of driving the core sales and marketing strategies. Abhirath brings to the table his unmatched expertise in hospitality operations and management, after a long-spanning career in the industry, with prominent hospitality brands such as Sheraton, Leela Palace – Hotels & Resorts and Trident among others.
Abhirath holds a degree from Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition, Bangalore and began his career with Carlson Hospitality Marketing India Pvt. Ltd. He was awarded with the “Innovative Achievement of the Year 2009” at the IHHR National Sales Conference. An avid traveler and a keen golf enthusiast, Abhirath is equally passionate about his work and is aligned with JW Marriott Pune’s commitment towards enriching guest experience through thoughtfully-crafted services.
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.
