Delhi HC Appoints Sanjiv Khanna Committee to Verify Greenopolis Homebuyers
Delhi High Court appoints a committee led by former CJI Sanjiv Khanna to identify genuine Greenopolis homebuyers and expedite relief.
In a significant move to resolve the long-standing dispute surrounding the Greenopolis project, the Delhi High Court has constituted a high-level monitoring committee. This committee will be headed by former Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, and is tasked with identifying the legitimate homebuyers of the project to facilitate the restitution process.
Justice A.J. Bhambhani delivered the judgment on September 29, emphasizing that such a committee is essential due to the massive volume of claimants and the conflicting interests regarding assets currently attached by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The primary goal is to ensure that actual victims of the abandoned Greenopolis project receive tangible relief as quickly as possible.
Composition of the Monitoring Committee
The committee is designed to leverage judicial expertise to handle the complex verification process. It will include:
- Justice Sanjiv Khanna: Chairperson
- HS Sharma: Former Principal District Judge, New Delhi District
- Ajay Kumar Kuhar: Former Additional District and Sessions Judge, Delhi
To ensure thorough legal scrutiny, the Chairperson has the authority to appoint up to eight advocates to serve as law clerks. Additionally, the Enforcement Directorate has been ordered to nominate two officers, at a rank no lower than Assistant Director, to assist the committee in its investigations.
Mandate and Verification Process
The committee's core responsibility is to compile an accurate list of genuine Greenopolis homebuyers. This applies to all legitimate purchasers, regardless of whether their payments were made to Three C Shelters or Orris Infrastructure. The committee will also manage a comprehensive record of properties attached by the ED, including their current ownership status, valuation, and any ongoing legal disputes.
To ensure transparency, the court has mandated a strict verification procedure. Homebuyers will be required to:
- Submit formal supporting documents, such as sale agreements, payment receipts, and bank statements.
- File an affidavit confirming they have no professional or personal ties to the promoters of Three C Shelters, Orris, or their associated entities.
- Disclose if they are involved in the real estate business, such as acting as brokers or property dealers.
The committee is empowered to request assistance and information from various public authorities, including the police and real estate regulatory bodies. In the event of a disagreement within the committee, the Chairperson, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, will hold the final decision-making power.
Timeline and Financial Instructions
The High Court has set a clear timeline for the committee's operations. It is expected to complete its primary role within eight months of its inaugural meeting and must submit progress reports every three months. To support this work, the ED has been directed to provide all relevant records regarding homebuyers and assets attached under PMLA proceedings.
Furthermore, the ED must transfer funds currently held in two specific bank accounts into a newly created account named “Account-Greenopolis Monitoring Committee” within one week.
Legal Context and Project Background
This judicial intervention comes as the court set aside a previous PMLA Court order from November 27, 2025, which had allowed for the disposal of attached properties for restitution. The High Court also recalled several interim orders issued in early 2026.
Justice Bhambhani clarified that the committee's work will operate independently and will not interfere with the ongoing Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) of Three C Shelters. The rights of homebuyers within the insolvency proceedings remain protected.
The Greenopolis project, located on approximately 47.218 acres in Sector 89, Gurugram, was a joint venture between Three C Shelters and Orris, who held 65% and 35% rights respectively. Before the project was abandoned, 1,650 units had been allotted to buyers. The legal complications intensified following an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate that began in 2016-17.