Sub-registrars know only khana, khazana, says Karnataka high court

Justice Ram Mohan Reddy of the Karnataka high court came down strongly on sub-registrars, whose duty it is to issue occupancy certificates for buildings.

“The sub-registrars know only how to get khana and khazana,” observed the judge, as he heard the case filed by the proprietors of the Metro Bankers’ Enclave at GM Palya and nine others, challenging the cutting off of water and electricity supply to their apartments. 

The petitioners contended that the apartment owners had purchased the property under a sale deed on January 21, 2000; the five-storey building was acquired from the builder, and they were entitled to regular supply of water and electricity, they said.

Justice Ram Mohan Reddy observed that facilities like water and electricity should only be made available to buildings that have all the requisite sanctions, in accordance with law. “What kind of sub-registrar issues all the approvals for water and electricity without an occupancy certificate?” the judge asked.

Justice Reddy observed that it was unclear whether the apartment complex had been built in accordance with the law. He said that it was also unclear how the jurisdictional BBMP engineer had permitted occupancy since January 21, 2000.

It was not clear how the apartments were sold and conveyed under registered sale deeds when there was no occupancy certificate, the judge said, holding the sub-registrar concerned answerable. The matter was adjourned to January 27.