The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has announced the adoption of a hybrid model of hearings, giving homebuyers, developers and housing societies the choice of attending proceedings either virtually or physically. The decision follows a July 2025 order of the Bombay High Court, which directed the regulator to provide litigants with the option of in-person hearings to ensure transparency and greater accessibility.
The case reached the High Court after Mumbai resident Mayur Desai filed a petition challenging MahaRERA’s insistence on conducting only online hearings even after the pandemic. Desai argued that while virtual hearings were necessary during COVID-19, continuing with them as the sole option after normalcy returned curtailed litigants’ rights and lacked procedural clarity. The court agreed with this view and observed that before 2020, all hearings were conducted physically and reverting to a hybrid model was essential. It also noted that the absence of physical hearings was restrictive and contributed to opacity in adjudication.
In compliance with the court’s directive, MahaRERA issued a circular on August 11, 2025, laying down a standard operating procedure for hybrid hearings. According to the circular, complaints and non-compliance applications will continue to be filed online, but litigants can now choose between virtual or physical hearings at the time of filing. Requests for physical hearings will have to be submitted through the party’s online login. The daily cause list will mark which matters are scheduled for in-person proceedings, and seating arrangements for each bench will be specified. Additionally, all orders will be uploaded digitally with timestamps to ensure transparency.
A senior MahaRERA official said the authority had already been informally allowing physical hearings upon request even before the court’s intervention. However, the official pointed out that most litigants, particularly developers, preferred the online format because of its convenience and cost efficiency.
The hybrid model is expected to offer major relief to thousands of litigants engaged in real estate disputes across Maharashtra, particularly in Mumbai, where such cases often face procedural delays. Homebuyers had frequently complained that online-only hearings limited their ability to present cases effectively, especially for those who struggled with technology or unreliable internet connections. Developers, meanwhile, viewed virtual hearings as an advantage since they reduced travel and logistical expenses. The new system is therefore being seen as a balanced approach that addresses the needs of both sides.
As of June 2025, MahaRERA had disposed of 29,374 complaints related to 5,508 projects across the state. Out of these, 3,473 projects were already under way before the regulator was established in 2017, while 2,035 were registered after the RERA framework came into force. Despite these numbers, a significant backlog of cases continues, making procedural clarity and choice for litigants all the more important.
Experts believe that MahaRERA’s move could set a precedent for other tribunals and quasi-judicial bodies in India that had shifted entirely to online hearings during the pandemic. While virtual hearings have improved efficiency, critics argue that they cannot fully substitute the fairness and accessibility of face-to-face interaction.
For MahaRERA, which deals with sensitive disputes involving possession delays, parking allotments and service deficiencies, physical hearings are particularly valuable because they allow litigants to directly present their grievances before the bench.
By embracing the hybrid model, MahaRERA has sought to strike a balance between modern convenience and traditional access to justice. While most developers are expected to continue with online hearings, homebuyers are likely to welcome the option of physical hearings, especially in high-stakes property disputes.
With the High Court’s backing and a clear framework now in place, the regulator aims to streamline its processes further and deliver faster relief to Mumbai’s real estate stakeholders.
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