Karnataka High Court Urges Prompt Appointment of RERA Appellate Tribunal Chairman Amidst Election Concerns

The Karnataka High Court has urged the government not to let the Lok Sabha polls interfere with filling up RERA vacancies, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a functional regulatory authority. The government assured that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will appoint the chairman of the Karnataka Real Estate Regulatory Authority (KRERA) Appellate Tribunal, pending his signature.

This development comes in response to the High Court's scrutiny over the government's failure to address vacancies since June 2023, resulting in a non-operational RERA tribunal. The tribunal, responsible for adjudicating appeals on issues such as possession delays and compensation disputes, has remained inactive due to the absence of a chairman.

The case was brought to the court's attention by Mathew Thomas, a buyer awaiting possession of a flat in the Sobha City project in Bengaluru. Despite KRERA's ruling in favor of the buyer regarding delays and compensation, the absence of a tribunal chairman stalled the appeal process, leaving the case unresolved for five years.

In light of the upcoming general election, the High Court emphasized the urgency of appointing tribunal members, highlighting the backlog of cases and the need for a functional regulatory body. The court's directive underscores the importance of timely appointments to ensure the effective functioning of regulatory authorities and expedite the resolution of real estate disputes.

As the judiciary and government collaborate to address regulatory vacancies, stakeholders in the real estate sector await the appointment of a new chairman and the subsequent resumption of tribunal operations, aiming to facilitate the swift resolution of pending cases and uphold the interests of homebuyers.