The Punjab and Haryana High Court is pushing for the adoption of software to track land ownership and prevent fraudulent property transactions. This follows a case where a man, Prem Kumar, illegally sold 18 marlas of land he no longer owned. The court has directed the Punjab and Haryana governments to explore technological tools that can help sub-registrars verify property ownership more effectively. The next court hearing is set for September 2, where the revenue departments must report on their progress. This initiative aims to reduce legal disputes and improve transparency in real estate dealings.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court is taking steps to address illegal property transactions by asking the governments of Punjab and Haryana to explore the availability of software that could help track land ownership and transactions more effectively. This move aims to reduce the number of fraudulent property dealings, particularly those where individuals are found to be selling more land than they legally own.
Justice Harkesh Manuja made the order during a recent court hearing concerning a case involving property disputes. The court is seeking to understand if either state has developed any technological tools to assist sub-registrars in verifying whether sellers are transferring land that exceeds their ownership. The principal secretaries for the revenue departments of both states have been directed to submit an affidavit regarding this matter. The next court date is set for September 2.
This legal inquiry comes against the backdrop of a long history of property-related litigations in the region. The case that triggered this scrutiny involved a man named Prem Kumar, who sold parts of his property over time-ultimately selling land he did not own. After initially purchasing a 2-kanal, 19-marla piece of land in 1987, Kumar went on to sell most of it, leaving himself with just seven marlas. However, he later sold an additional 18 marlas from the same land, leading to legal disputes over the validity of that sale.
Court proceedings revealed that the parties who purchased the 18 marlas believed they had conducted due diligence by checking with local revenue authorities before proceeding with their purchase. The court, however, ruled that since Prem Kumar had already sold most of the land, he had no right to sell the additional 18 marlas. Thus, the transaction was declared illegal, and the buyers could not claim protection under property laws, despite their claims of having verified the ownership.
This situation highlights the need for transparent property transactions and better technology to track land ownership. Many buyers face the risk of dealing with fraudulent sellers, as evidenced by the ongoing disputes in the Punjab and Haryana region. Implementing reliable software could protect both buyers and sellers by ensuring all property transactions are properly documented and that ownership records are accurate.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court's initiative could lead to a more organized approach to property sales. It raises questions about the extent to which technology can be employed to enhance the registration process and prevent illegal transactions. Other states across India have begun using technology for similar purposes, showing a growing trend towards modernization in land registration systems.
As the court awaits responses from the Punjab and Haryana governments, it remains critical for state officials to consider adopting advanced software solutions. Such systems could potentially include features like real-time updates of ownership records and automated checks to ensure that sellers possess legal title before a transfer can occur. If successful, this initiative may not only reduce litigation but also instill greater confidence in real estate transactions throughout the region.
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