Karnataka Registration Department Staff Appeal to Police Chief Over Harassment Concerns
The Karnataka State Registration and Stamps Department Employees Association has formally requested the intervention of the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) to address what it describes as unwarranted harassment of its officials. The association is particularly concerned about deputy registrars, sub-registrars, and other staff members being targeted in civil property disputes.
Formal Representation Highlights Growing Issue
In a detailed representation submitted on February 17, Association President BH Shankaregowda outlined the escalating problem. He stated that department officials are increasingly being summoned to police stations for inquiries related to property transaction disputes. These transactions were registered as part of their normal official duties.
Shankaregowda contended that in numerous instances, First Information Reports (FIRs) are being registered against sub-registrar officers without obtaining prior sanction from the department head. This bypassing of proper procedure has raised significant alarm within the association.
Recent Incidents Cause Widespread Concern
The association highlighted several recent cases across Karnataka where sub-registrars have been named in criminal complaints. These complaints often presume personal involvement in disputed transactions simply because the officials registered documents in their official capacity.
Pradeep Kumar, the sub-registrar of Koppal, pointed to what he called a regrettable incident involving the recent arrest of a sub-registrar from Hukkeri in Belagavi district. This arrest was made in connection with alleged irregularities in a property registration matter. Kumar emphasized that this event has generated widespread concern and anxiety among officials throughout the department.
Legal Protections Being Overlooked
The representation drew attention to established legal precedents that provide protection to registration officials. Both the Karnataka High Court and the Supreme Court of India have clarified in multiple judgments that sub-registrars cannot be held criminally liable in cases involving:
- Impersonation during document registration
- Presentation of forged documents for registration
This protection applies provided the officials acted within the scope of their statutory duties. The association emphasized that under the Registration Act and relevant rules:
- The responsibility in impersonation cases lies with the identifying witnesses
- Liability for forged documents rests with the parties executing those documents, not with the registering officer
Specific Legal Safeguards Cited
Citing Section 218 of the Indian Civil Security Code, 2023, the association stressed that no FIR can be registered and no arrest can be made against a government servant for alleged negligence committed during official duties without prior government sanction. The association alleged that this crucial legal safeguard is being consistently overlooked in recent cases.
Allegations of External Pressure and Intimidation
The employees' body further claimed there is a growing trend of FIRs being filed under pressure from what it termed unseen hands in sensitive property disputes. In some districts, officers have reportedly been called to police stations where they face questioning and threats, creating what the association describes as an atmosphere of fear within the department.
Formal Request for Clear Instructions
The association has specifically requested clear instructions from the DG&IGP to subordinate police officers. These instructions would ensure that:
- Statutory protections for public servants are strictly adhered to
- Officials discharging their duties under the Registration Act are not unnecessarily implicated in civil disputes
The association warned that continued action without following due procedure could adversely affect the functioning and morale of the registration and stamps department across Karnataka. They emphasized that protecting officials from unwarranted legal actions is essential for maintaining efficient public service delivery in property registration matters.
