Registering Authority Can’t Decide Property Ownership: Supreme Court

​The Supreme Court has declared Rule 55A(i) of the Tamil Nadu Registration Rules invalid, ruling that it exceeds the provisions of the Registration Act, 1908.

The Court said that a Sub-Registrar cannot refuse to register a sale deed solely because the seller fails to provide proof of ownership or if the seller's title is uncertain.

The Sub-Registrar's duty is limited to verifying the document's compliance with procedural requirements and ensuring that the necessary stamp duty and registration fees are paid.

Any disputes regarding property ownership should be resolved through civil litigation, not during the registration process.