I bought a flat from a seller in India, signing a sale deed on stamped paper and paying a 5 lakh advance. However, the deal is delayed by over two months, and I want to back out. The seller refuses to return my advance, claiming I agreed to buy the flat. The sale deed wasn’t registered. Can he legally keep my advance?

In India, an unregistered sale deed is not legally binding. Since the sale deed wasn’t registered, you can potentially claim your advance back. However, the seller might argue that you agreed to buy the flat. A court would assess the terms of your agreement, the reasons for delay, and if the seller’s refusal to return the advance is justified.