Important Legal Developments in India You Should Know
1. Bihar RERA Tightens Real Estate Rules
In early 2026, the Bihar Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Bihar RERA) penalised a real estate developer with a ₹1 lakh fine for displaying “Coming Soon” promotional materials for an unregistered project — treating these visuals as advertisements under the Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Act, 2016. This interpretation expands the definition of “advertisement” beyond traditional media to include project visuals too, aiming to curb premature real estate marketing.
➡️ This means developers must be more cautious with promotional content even before official RERA registration.
2. Tamil Nadu RERA Orders Bank Account Safeguards
The Tamil Nadu RERA issued a major compliance order — requiring promoters and builders to maintain three separate bank accounts for each registered project. The objective is to ensure that buyer funds collected for one project are not used for another, safeguarding homebuyer investments and improving transparency in real estate finances.
➡️ This step can significantly strengthen homebuyer protection in RERA-registered projects.
3. New Chief Justice Appointed in Uttarakhand High Court
On January 8, 2026, the Central Government notified the elevation of Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta as the Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court, succeeding the retiring incumbent. Such judicial appointments are crucial for case management, judicial efficiency, and leadership of the High Court in resolving important civil and criminal matters.
➡️ Judicial leadership changes often influence priorities in case handling and legal reforms within the state.
💡 What This Means for You
✅ Real Estate Buyers: Be aware of stricter advertisement and fund safety rules under RERA.
✅ Developers & Builders: Ensure compliance with separate account requirements and avoid premature promotions.
✅ Legal Professionals & Clients: Stay updated with judicial appointments — they can affect court timelines and procedural priorities.