Haryana Registry Scandal Deepens: Over 100 Revenue Officials to face Disciplinary Action

Haryana's revenue system faces its biggest scandal in recent times as the state gets ready to punish over 100 high-ranking officials for their supposed role in a huge property registration scam.

The fraud, which happened when Dushyant Chautala was Deputy Chief Minister involved regular breaches of required No Objection Certificate (NOC) rules under Section 7-A of the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act, 1975. This law aims to stop unplanned colony growth and maintain urban growth. 

District Revenue Officers, Tehsildars, and Naib Tehsildars across six divisions allegedly facilitated the illegal registration of sale and lease deeds without obtaining essential NOCs from District Town Planners. The violations created a regulatory nightmare, potentially legitimizing thousands of unauthorized developments. 

The first probe kicked off in June 2020 in Gurugram district. Three Sub-Registrars and five Joint Sub-Registrars faced accusations leading to six FIRs. This prompted the state government to order investigations across all divisions exposing the huge scale of the fraud.  

Government records reveal that 64,577 property deeds got registered from March 2017 to August 2021. Gurugram Division led with 21,716 violations. Faridabad came next with 18,358 then Rohtak with 10,849 Karnal with 9,774 Ambala with 2,864, and Hisar with 1,016.

The government demanded explanations from 133 Sub-Registrars and 97 Joint Sub-Registrars but then suspended disciplinary proceedings. Additionally, 156 registration clerks and 381 patwaris face action for failing to scrutinize documents properly. 

Officials with multiple violations will face major penalties under Rule 7 of the Haryana Civil Services (Punishment & Appeal) Rules, 2016, while those with fewer infractions receive minor penalties under Rule 8.