Punjab & Haryana High Court Seeks State's Response In Plea For Registration Of Sale Deeds Through Video Conferencing For NRIs

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the State government on a plea seeking directions to allow NRIs to represent before the office of sub-registrar through video conferencing or through any other electronic medium for the purpose of registration of sale deed of properties. 

Justice Raj Mohan Singh issued notice on the plea and adjourned the matter for further hearing to January 21, 2022. 

"On the asking of the Court, Mr. Vivek Chauhan, Addl. A.G., Haryana accepts notice on behalf of respondent No.1", the order stated. 

The plea moved by one Vivek Devgun prays for directions to dispense with the requirement of physical presence in matters pertaining to registration of sale deeds.

According to the petitioner, one K.C Tapadar currently residing in Germany had entered into an agreement with him for sale of a property measuring 1050 yards in Faridabad back in February 2018. Since Tapadar is 79 years old and bed ridden, he had executed a general power of attorney (GPA) in favour of his wife and three daughters for the registration of sale deed in favour of the petitioner. The petitioner had already made payment to the tune of Rs 1.5 lakhs to Tapadar and was due to pay the remaining amount when they visited India for the registration of sale deed. However, due to the prolonged lockdown owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, neither of the parties were able to fulfill their obligations. 

The Court was also apprised that the property owner's two daughters are both frontline workers and are therefore unable to take long leaves from work during the pandemic. Furthermore, the parties also informed the Bench that they had approached the Faridabad sub-registrar to proceed with the registration of sale deed vide electronic medium but nothing had been done in this regard by the concerned authorities. 

Accordingly, the Court sought State's response in this regard and listed the matter for further hearing in January, 2022. 

Case Title: Vivek Devgun v. State of Haryana 

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