Aadhaar Authentication Mandatory For Property Registration In Maharashtra

Aadhaar authentication has become mandatory for registration of immovable property documents in Maharashtra from Thursday. The new requirement covers 63 types of documents related to property transactions, including sale, purchase, mortgage and partition deeds.

The state government has notified the provisions in the official gazette. The changes apply to documents registered through the Registration and Stamps Department under the Revenue Department.

Aadhaar Required For Property Document Registration

Under the new provisions, applicants registering property documents will have to provide their Aadhaar number for identity verification. Those who have applied for Aadhaar but have not received the number can submit proof of their Aadhaar enrolment.

Applicants who do not have an Aadhaar number will have to provide other government-issued identity documents. They may also need to submit documents establishing their relationship with the person concerned in the transaction, depending on the circumstances.

The registration of the document will be completed only after the authorities verify the identity details and documents submitted by the applicants. The process is intended to establish the identity of the people involved before the property transaction is registered.

The requirement covers various property documents handled by the Registration and Stamps Department. It applies to transactions involving different forms of transfer, ownership arrangements and other dealings in immovable property.

New Rule Aims To Check Property Fraud

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule linked the new requirement to concerns over fraudulent transactions involving immovable property. He pointed to cases where fake parties and witnesses have been used during property registration.

Under the new process, identity verification through Aadhaar will be carried out before the registration is completed. The government expects this to reduce the possibility of a person impersonating another party during a property transaction.

The state government has also stated that the new process will reduce human intervention in property registration. The changes are intended to limit fraudulent practices and bring identity verification into the registration process.

Separate Provision For Children

The notification also provides for children and certain eligible categories of people who do not have an Aadhaar number. For individuals below 18 years of age, an Aadhaar enrolment application can be made with the consent of a parent or legal guardian.

The government has clarified that a child or eligible beneficiary cannot be denied registration only because an Aadhaar number is unavailable. Such applicants can provide alternative identity documents and other records prescribed under the new provisions.