A decade ago, a few people created bogus documents and usurped land belonging to yesteryear actor Vanisri. After 11 years, she finally heaved a sigh of relief as the state registration department declared the fake documents as invalid.
The department’s order was handed over to her and four others by chief minister M K Stalin at the secretariat on Wednesday.
“The land is in Nungambakkam. This is a big blow to those who create fake documents and usurp the property of others. I have approached all government departments for help. Now my 11-year old struggle has come to an end. The state will have many more beneficiaries of this new amendment,” she said.
Touted as the first in the country, the state government on Wednesday officially brought into effect the amended Registration Act that empowers the Tamil Nadu Registration Department to nullify bogus registrations and documents. “This had to be done through a legal process initially. Now the affected persons can directly approach the registration department,” said an official from the registration department.
C R Bojan, retired professor of Botany, Pachaiyappa’s College, who also received the order from the CM, said he suffered mental agony after he came to know someone had sold their land using fake documents.”I purchased the land in 1991, but it was in January 2022 that I came to know that an impersonator had sold my land. I am so happy that the amendment was enforced in time,” he said.
In September 2021, the state Assembly passed a bill to amend the 1908 Registration Act and grant power to the Registration Department to invalidate land documents registered using fake documents, forgery and impersonation. The President granted assent to the bill on September 6, 2022.
“Prior to this the affected person had to approach the court. As per clause 22 (B) included in the Act officers from the registration department can cancel the fake documents and registration of forbidden lands. While under section 77 (A) of the amended Act district registrars can cancel documents,if they are found to be fake, after a proper inquiry is conducted on the complaint,” added the officer.
Further, to assist people register their land on auspicious days and in a jiffy, the CM rolled out the Tatkal registration scheme. Registration tokens can be obtained by paying 5,000 at tnreginet(dot)gov(dot)in.
