Bengaluru: Karnataka stamps and registration department ordered the compulsory retirement of Raghavendra Wodeyar, sub-registrar of Kacharakanahalli, for causing a financial loss of over Rs 11 crore to the state govt. Dayananda KA, inspector general of registration (IGR) issued a formal order on March 6, a move that has stunned the sub-registrar community and a signal that the govt’s intends to crack down on irregularities in property registrations.
The official order states the 36-year-old Wodeyar allegedly facilitated the illegal registration of 2 acres and 37 guntas of land in Bagalur village near Yelahanka in Nov 2022. The land was sold for Rs 4 crore, and within days, a deed of cancellation was registered but the sub-registrar did not collect Rs 26.4 lakh in stamp duty and registration fees, a violation of govt directives.
In the same year, five other sale agreements were illegally registered, causing a loss of Rs 11.1 crore to the state exchequer. The order states Wodeyar had registered these transactions as sale agreements “without possession” instead of “with possession”, leading to a loss in revenue.
Initially suspended on March 15, 2023, Wodeyar was later reinstated following a court directive. The govt then appointed retired judge N Narayana in Sept 2023 to investigate the allegations against Wodeyar. Narayana submitted his report on Nov 26 last year, concluding that Wodeyar’s actions had indeed resulted in a Rs 11.4 crore loss to the exchequer. Acting on these findings, IGR Dayananda imposed the punishment of compulsory retirement. The retirement age is 60 years.
Stern warning
Following the rare punishment, Dayananda issued a memo to all sub-registrars and district registrars earlier this week, directing them to strictly adhere to registration guidelines and govt circulars. The memo states property registrations within Mahanagara Palikes, city and town municipal corporations, and gram panchayats must be done using e-Aasthi and e-Swathu software.
“Disciplinary action will be taken against sub-registrars who register land or property violating prescribed directions,” the memo states.
Dayananda also addressed concerns over confusion among sub-registrars regarding e-khatas saying properties with ‘A’ or ‘B’ Khata should be registered after verification through e-Aasthi and e-Swathu.