On May 2, 2025, the Bombay High Court criticized the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) for exclusively conducting online hearings and resisting a return to hybrid or in-person formats. Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale questioned the rationale behind this approach, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face interactions to fully understand complainants’ grievances .

This scrutiny arose during the hearing of a petition by Kandivli resident Mayur Desai, who sought expedited action on an order reserved in March 2024 concerning delayed possession of a flat by CCI Projects Pvt Ltd. Although MahaRERA had directed the developer in November 2022 to pay interest on amounts paid by Desai, the execution proceedings have remained pending.

The court’s remarks highlight broader concerns about MahaRERA’s efficiency and responsiveness. Homebuyers have reported significant delays in case hearings, with some waiting over a year for a second hearing . In response to mounting criticism, MahaRERA issued a circular in April 2025 outlining seven exceptional circumstances under which cases could be prioritized for hearing, such as life-threatening illnesses or directives from higher courts .

Despite these measures, stakeholders argue that the authority’s reluctance to resume in-person hearings hampers effective grievance redressal. The High Court’s intervention underscores the need for MahaRERA to adopt more inclusive and timely hearing practices to uphold its mandate of delivering swift justice to homebuyers.

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