Overview
- In a judgment on 7 November, the Supreme Court described property deals as “traumatic” and noted that land disputes account for about 66% of civil cases.
- The bench underscored that current law registers documents rather than title, so a registered deed is only presumptive evidence and buyers shoulder heavy due diligence.
- Citing fake documents, encroachments, delays and fragmented state practices, the court said digitization alone cannot fix flawed records.
- It recommended exploring blockchain to create tamper-evident, auditable land ledgers that integrate cadastral maps, survey data and revenue records.
- While striking down Rule 19 sub-rules in Bihar that tied registration to mutation proof as ultra vires, the court urged a Centre–State framework and a review of key statutes including the Transfer of Property, Registration, Stamp, Evidence, IT and Data Protection laws.