Registration department one of the most corrupt says Madras High Court

Registration department one of the most corrupt says Madras High Court

CHENNAI: It is public knowledge that the Registration department is one of the most corrupt ones in the State, according to Madras High Court judge N Kirubakaran. Nothing moves there without bribe; even the latest raid conducted at the registration offices a month ago yielded huge tainted money, he pointed out.

Since a number of documents are being registered every day in the Sub-Registrar’s offices, it is necessary for the DVAC to keep vigil to prevent the demand of bribe for registration, he said. The judge made the observation while passing interim orders on a writ petition praying for a direction from the court to the Sub-Registrar’s office in Pammal to register a document, which was pending for over a year.

During arguments, when the judge was told that to circumvent the CCTVs installed in the Registration offices, touts or middlemen have been engaged by the officials, the judge impleaded the secretary, Commercial Taxes and Registration department and the DGP in the petition and directed them to answer a set of 10 queries by December 4.

Ten points to look for

❶ Are respondents aware Registration Department are employing third parties to collect extra money for registration services?

➋ Is there any inspection or raid by the higher officials in this regard so far?

➌ Have raids been conducted and if so, how many for the past 10 years?

➍ Had any money been seized during such raids and if so, can details be furnished for the past 10 years?

➎ How many cases have been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act and how many arrested?

➏ Has there been any departmental action against erring officials and what is the result of the action, if taken, pursuant to seizure of corrupt money? wresult of action, if taken, pursuant to seizure of corrupt money?

➐ Have third parties been employed for collecting money? What are the steps taken by respondents to against that, including arrest of those touts?

➑ Are the Registrars filing their assets every year and has any officer been charged for disproportionate wealth during service?

➒ Why can’t the Registration Department install digital login system so that only the staff may enter the office?

➓ When there is a directive to dispose of case in three weeks, why has the third respondent retained petitioner’s documents for over a year?

Source: NewIE