In a significant move to combat fraudulent real estate deals, the Karnataka government has made the submission of Aadhaar details compulsory for all parties involved in property registration. This directive, issued by the Inspector General of Registration and Commissioner of Stamps, aims to create a more transparent and secure system by verifying the identities of buyers and sellers.
The New Directive to Sub-Registrars
The order, communicated to all sub-registrars across the state, mandates that officials must insist on Aadhaar cards from every individual executing a document for registration. This applies to all types of property transactions. The primary goal is to eliminate the use of fake or forged identities, a common tactic in fraudulent property deals that often leaves victims with massive financial losses and legal battles.
The Inspector General of Registration and Commissioner of Stamps, K.B.G. Reddy, confirmed the new rule. He stated that the measure is a direct response to the growing number of complaints regarding fake property transactions. By linking registrations to the biometric and demographic data in the Aadhaar system, authorities can accurately establish the identity of the parties, making it exceedingly difficult for fraudsters to operate.
Addressing the Menace of Fake Transactions
Property fraud has been a persistent issue in Karnataka's real estate sector. Unscrupulous individuals often use fabricated documents and impersonate genuine property owners to sell land or houses they do not own. In other cases, buyers themselves use fake IDs. These scams not only devastate individual homeowners and buyers but also clog the judicial system with protracted court cases.
The new Aadhaar mandate is seen as a robust technological solution to this age-old problem. The 12-digit unique identity number, backed by biometric verification, provides a reliable method to confirm that the person signing the documents is who they claim to be. This layer of security is expected to act as a major deterrent.
"The step has been taken to avoid fake property transactions," reiterated Commissioner K.B.G. Reddy, emphasizing the preventive nature of the policy. The department believes this will restore greater public confidence in the property registration process, assuring citizens that the system is actively working to protect their assets.
Implications for the Real Estate Sector and Public
For the general public, this means that carrying an Aadhaar card will now be as essential as the property documents themselves when visiting a sub-registrar's office. Both sellers (executants) and buyers (claimants) must provide their Aadhaar details during the registration process. While the rule enhances security, officials have also been instructed to ensure it does not cause unnecessary hardship to legitimate citizens.
The real estate industry in Karnataka is expected to welcome this move, as it promises to reduce fraud and bring more transparency to transactions. A cleaner, more trustworthy registration system can potentially boost investor confidence and stabilize the market. However, it also places the onus on all parties to ensure their Aadhaar details are updated and readily available.
This initiative aligns with broader national trends of using Aadhaar as a foundational identity for critical services and financial transactions. It marks a decisive step by the Karnataka government to leverage technology for better governance and public protection in the vital real estate sector. The success of this measure will depend on its seamless implementation across all 236 sub-registrar offices in the state and public awareness of the new requirement.
