PROTECTING HOMEBUYERS UNDER RERA: A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF KARNATAKA'S REAL ESTATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION FRAMEWORK

The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA) was enacted to promote transparency, accountability, and consumer protection in India's real estate sector. This paper critically examines Karnataka's implementation of RERA, focusing on the dispute resolution framework established through the Karnataka Real Estate Regulatory Authority (K-RERA). It analyses the role of the Regulatory Authority, the Adjudicating Officer, the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal, and the Conciliation and Dispute Resolution Cell in addressing grievances of homebuyers. While K-RERA has significantly improved regulatory oversight and access to specialised remedies, the article identifies key challenges including procedural fragmentation, enforcement difficulties, institutional capacity constraints, and the reactive nature of the regulatory framework. It argues that the effectiveness of homebuyer protection must be assessed not merely through compliance measures but through the delivery of timely and meaningful relief. The article concludes by suggesting reforms aimed at strengthening enforcement, enhancing institutional capacity, and fostering a more consumer-centric approach to real estate governance in Karnataka. Keywords: RERA, K-RERA, Homebuyer Protection, Real Estate Disputes, Consumer Rights.