In a significant ruling, the Bombay High Court has affirmed that homebuyers can withdraw the pre-deposit amount made by builders while appeals are pending before the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) appellate tribunal. The case involved Mitul Gada, who booked two flats in the North Sea Heights project by Rare Townships Private Limited in 2015 for over ₹3 crore (approximately $360,000 USD) and paid nearly ₹2 crore (about $240,000 USD). After a delay in possession promised by December 2018, Gada sought a refund through MahaRERA, which ordered a full refund in September 2025. Following the builder's appeal, the tribunal allowed Gada to withdraw the deposited amount, leading to the builder's challenge in the High Court. The court upheld the tribunal's decision, emphasizing that the tribunal has the discretion to release deposits in deserving cases, particularly to alleviate the financial burden on buyers. This ruling is expected to expedite refunds for many homebuyers in Maharashtra, reinforcing the protective measures of RERA and ensuring that buyers are not left without relief during lengthy appeals.