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The Chief Justice of India has sharply criticised several state governments for appointing retired officials, especially former bureaucrats, to leadership positions in Real Estate Regulatory Authorities (RERAs) instead of professionals with relevant real estate, urban planning or legal expertise. During a Supreme Court hearing on unrelated matters, the bench observed that such appointments risk diluting the intended regulatory effectiveness of RERA bodies which were established under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 to protect homebuyers and ensure accountability in the real estate sector. The Chief Justice said too many authorities have become rehabilitation centres for retired officials rather than functioning as effective watchdogs, and questioned whether states should revisit how these institutions are constituted. Civil society campaigners have echoed calls for a thorough overhaul of RERA implementation to restore confidence in the system.
The Supreme Court of India has expressed strong dissatisfaction with how many state governments are constituting their Real Estate Regulatory Authorities (RERAs), highlighting concerns that the bodies are not fulfilling their statutory mandate to protect homebuyers effectively. In remarks made during a recent hearing, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) criticised the practice of appointing retired bureaucrats and other officials to key RERA positions rather than professionals with domain expertise in real estate, urban development or legal affairs. Advertisement
The bench, which included the CJI and another senior judge, underscored that RERAs were established under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 to regulate the sector, ensure greater transparency, and provide timely and effective redressal for homebuyers. However, it noted that the current approach to staffing and leadership has diluted the authorities credibility and may be contributing to ineffective enforcement of the law. The bench observed that if RERA bodies are not delivering meaningful relief to homebuyers, states should reconsider how they are constituted.
In strongly worded comments, the CJI questioned the logic of appointing retired officials without relevant sectoral experience, suggesting that placing individuals with specialised knowledge such as in architecture, environment planning or consumer protection could better serve RERA's objectives. The court said that in some instances RERA has become a kind of rehabilitation centre for retired bureaucrats, rather than a robust regulatory body focused on the interests of buyers.
Civil society and homebuyer advocacy groups have responded to these judicial remarks by calling for a comprehensive reassessment of RERA implementation across states. Campaigners said the critique highlights longstanding frustrations over delayed case hearings, low execution of orders, and inconsistent enforcement, and that reform is needed not only in appointments but also in infrastructure, transparency, and accountability within the regulatory framework.
The Supreme Court's comments come amid broader scrutiny of real estate regulation in India, with some authorities failing to publish annual reports as mandated and with ongoing debates over how to enhance oversight and strengthen homebuyer protections.
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