The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Chandigarh has ordered SBL Builders Pvt Ltd to refund ₹59.83 lakh (approximately $72,000 USD) to Nitin Goyal, a homebuyer, due to delays in the possession of a flat in the Sushma Grande NXT housing project located in Zirakpur, Punjab, India. Goyal had booked the flat in 2017 for about ₹65.83 lakh and alleged that the builder failed to meet the promised timeline for construction and possession. He also claimed that the builder did not pay the pre-EMI interest as agreed, leading to financial distress. In defense, SBL Builders argued that Goyal was an investor and not a consumer, and cited the COVID-19 pandemic as a force majeure event for the construction delays. However, the commission found the builder deficient in service and directed the refund along with 12% annual interest from the date of deposit. Additionally, the commission awarded ₹75,000 as compensation for mental agony and ₹35,000 towards litigation expenses. If the refund is not processed within 30 days, the interest rate will escalate to 15% per annum.