Uttarakhand: Land purchase and sale rules changed in Dehradun; this verification is now mandatory before registration

To curb fraudulent practices during land transactions in Dehradun, the district administration has made it mandatory to verify land records (Khatauni) and mutation entries before registration. The implementation of this system will increase transparency in land transactions and provide relief to the public from fraudulent activities. Following instructions from District Magistrate Savin Bansal, the Stamp and Registration Department has effectively implemented this system.

Under the new system, before purchasing land, the updated records of the concerned land, ownership status, and mutation entries will be verified. This will automatically prevent registrations based on the names of deceased persons, fake heirs, or forged documents. It will also curb cases of double or triple sales of the same piece of land.

For the convenience of the public, the administration has also launched a dedicated computer kiosk near the registration office. This is the first such kiosk in the state where all land-related information can be obtained on the spot through the e-registration portal. Land records (Khatauni), mutation entries, details of the landowner, and the current status of the land can now be viewed directly without any intermediaries.

The biggest advantage of this system is that people will no longer have to depend on brokers or unauthorized individuals for land-related information. The digital information available at the kiosk will allow for verification of all facts before registration, saving both time and money. It will also bring transparency to matters related to stamp duty and registration. The District Magistrate has clarified that fraud against the public in the name of increasing revenue will not be tolerated under any circumstances. He has instructed officials to disseminate information about this system to the block and village panchayat levels so that people in rural areas can also be aware and conduct safe land transactions.

Types of land fraud during registration:
Registration by posing as a fake owner: The land is registered by concealing the information of the actual landowner and using forged identity documents.
Transaction in the name of a deceased person: Even after death, the land is shown as belonging to a living person, or fake heirs are presented to register the land. Multiple sales of the same land: Taking advantage of outdated records, the same piece of land is sold to different people.
Manipulation of land records and mutation entries: Ownership is changed through forgery in land records.

• Registration of government and public land: Government, forest, or village council land is sold by falsely claiming it as private property.
• Misuse of power of attorney: Land deals are conducted based on expired or forged power of attorney documents.
• Sale by altering boundaries and area: Buyers are misled by manipulating maps and land area measurements.

The new system will not only strengthen public trust but will also help the administration in better management of land records and reducing disputes. This system implemented in the district is now being considered as a model for other districts as well. – Savin Bansal, District Magistrate Dehradun