Renting flats in under-construction apartments without verifying any litigation against the builder concerned might land people in a soup.

Patna municipal commissioner Kuldip Narayan has claimed that apart from the builder, even those taking possession of flats in buildings facing vigilance cases are liable for legal action.

“People should be cautious when taking on rent flats in under-construction buildings, which are facing vigilance cases by PMC. Possession is not allowed in those buildings unless the cases are disposed of and occupation certificate is issued to the builder concerned. Those found guilty in such cases would be liable to face action under Section 323 and 347 of Bihar Municipal Act, 2007,” said Narayan.

Narayan made the observation on Wednesday on the sidelines of a second mass hearing in vigilance cases against buildings allegedly coming up in violation of rules.

Builders under the civic body scanner seem to be avoiding the hearings. Defendants in 40 out of 81 vigilance cases that were to be heard on Wednesday at the court of the municipal commissioner did not turn up. Earlier, 23 of 60 defendants had not turned up at the last hearing on Saturday.

“Of 80 cases against under-construction buildings in Bankipore and Kankerbagh circles and one in New Capital Circle, scheduled to be heard on Wednesday, 40 defendants did not turn up. The defendants were present in person or represented by lawyers. PMC’s panel advocate and legal adviser H.S. Himkar represented it. We have scheduled a hearing for absentees on December 7,” Narayan said.

Acting on the directives of Patna High Court, Patna Municipal Corporation had conducted inspection of under-construction buildings. Based on the engineers’ reports, vigilance cases were initiated against those buildings suspected of being built in violation of building by-laws.