REGISTRATION ACT, 1908
REGISTRATION ACT, 1908
Last Updated: 19081218
Contents
PREAMBLE. .
PART I. PRELIMINARY
1 SHORT TITLE, EXTENT AND COMMENCEMENT
2 DEFINITIONS
PART II. THE REGISTRATIONESTABLISHMENT
3 INSPECTORGENERAL OF REGISTRATION
4 BRANCH INSPECTOR GENERAL OF SINDH
5 DISTRICTS AND SUB DISTRICTS
6 REGISTRARS AND SUB REGISTRARS
7 OFFICES OF REGISTRARS AND SUB REGISTRARS
8 INSPECTORS OF REGISTRATION OFFICES
9 MILITARY CANTONMENTS MAY BE DECLARED SUB DISTRICTS ORDISTRICTS
10 ABSENCE OF REGISTRAR OR VACANCY IN HIS OFFICE
11 ABSENCE OF REGISTRAR ON DUTY IN HIS DISTRICT
12 ABSENCE OF SUB REGISTRAR OR VACANCY IN HIS OFFICE
13 REPORT TO PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF APPOINTMENTS UNDERSECTIONS 10, 11 AND 12
14 ESTABLISHMENT OF REGISTERING OFFICERS
15 SEAL OF REGISTERING OFFICERS
16 REGISTERBOOK AND FIRE PROOF BOXES
PART III. REGISTRABLE DOCUMENTS
17 DOCUMENTS OF WHICH REGISTRATION IS COMPULSORY
18 DOCUMENTS OF WHICH REGISTRATION IS OPTIONAL
19 DOCUMENTS IN LANGUAGE NOT UNDERSTOOD BY REGISTERINGOFFICER
20 DOCUMENTS CONTAINING INTERLINEATIONS BLANKS, ERASURESOR ALTERATIONS
21 DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY AND MAPS OR PLANS
22 DESCRIPTION OF HOUSES AND LAND BY REFERENCE TO GOVERNMENT MAPS OR SURVEYS
PART IV. THE TIME OF PRESENTATION
23 TIME FOR PRESENTING DOCUMENTS
23 A REREGISTRATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS
24 DOCUMENTS EXECUTED BY SEVERAL PERSONS AT DIFFERENTTIMES
25 PROVISION WHERE DELAY IN PRESENTATION IS UNAVOIDABLE
26 DOCUMENTS EXECUTED OUT OF THE PROVINCES, ETC
27 WILLS MAY BE PRESENTED OR DEPOSITED AT ANY TIME
PART V. THE PLACE OF REGISTRATION
28 PLACE FOR REGISTERING DOCUMENTS RELATING TO LAND
29 PLACE FOR REGISTERING OTHER DOCUMENTS
30 REGISTRATION BY REGISTRARS IN CERTAIN CASE
31 REGISTRATION OR ACCEPTANCE FOR DEPOSIT AT PRIVATERESIDENCE
PART VI. PRESENTING DOCUMENTS FOR REGISTRATION
32 PERSONS TO PRESENT DOCUMENTS FOR REGISTRATION
33 POWER OF ATTORNEY RECOGNIZABLE FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION32
34 ENQUIRY BEFORE REGISTRATION BY REGISTERING OFFICER
35 PROCEDURE ON ADMISSION AND DENIAL OF EXECUTIONRESPECTIVELY
PART VII. ENFORCING THE APPEARANCE OF EXECUTANTS AND WITNESSES
36 PROCEDURE WHERE APPEARANCE OF EXECUTANTS OR WITNESS ISDESIRED
37 OFFICER OR COURT TO ISSUE AND CAUSE SERVICE OF SUMMONS
38 PERSONS EXEMPT FROM APPEARANCE AT REGISTRATION OFFICE
39 LAW AS TO SUMMONSES, COMMISSIONS AND WITNESSES
PART VIII. PRESENTING WILLS AND AUTHORITIES TO ADOPT
40 PERSONS ENTITLED TO PRESENT WILLS AND AUTHORITIES TOADOPT
41 REGISTRATION OF WILLS AND AUTHORITIES TO ADOPT
PART IX. DEPOSIT AND DISPOSAL OF WILLS
42 DEPOSIT OF WILLS
43 PROCEDURE ON DEPOSIT OF WILLS
44 WITHDRAWAL OF SEALED COVER DEPOSITED UNDER SECTION 42
45 PROCEEDINGS ON DEATH OF DEPOSITOR
46 SAVING OF CERTAIN ENACTMENTS AND POWERS OF COURTS
46 A DESTRUCTION OF WILLS
PART X. THE EFFECTS OF REGISTRATION AND NONREGISTRATION
47 TIME FROM WHICH REGISTERED DOCUMENT OPERATORS
48 REGISTERED DOCUMENTS RELATING TO PROPERTY WHEN TO TAKEEFFECT AGAINST ORAL AGREEMENTS
49 EFFECT OF NONREGISTRATION OF DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO BEREGISTERED
50 CERTAIN REGISTERED DOCUMENTS RELATING TO LAND TO TAKEEFFECT AGAINST UNREGISTERED DOCUMENTS
PART XI. THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF REGISTERING OFFICERS
51 REGISTERBOOKS TO BE KEPT IN THE SEVERAL OFFICES
52 DUTIES OF REGISTERING OFFICERS WHEN DOCUMENT PRESENTED
53 ENTRIES TO BE NUMBERED CONSECUTIVELY
54 CURRENT INDEXES AND ENTRIES THEREIN
55 INDEXES TO BE MADE BY REGISTERING OFFICERS, AND THEIRCONTENTS
56 COPY OF ENTRIES IN INDEXES NOS I, II AND III TO BE SENT BY SUBREGISTRAR TO REGISTRAR AND FILED
57 REGISTERING OFFICERS TO ALLOW INSPECTION OF CERTAIN BOOKSAND INDEXES, AND TO GIVEN CERTIFIED COPIES OF ENTRIES
58 PARTICULARS TO BE ENDORSED ON DOCUMENTS ADMITTED TOREGISTRATION
59 ENDORSEMENTS TO BE DATED AND SIGNED BY REGISTERINGOFFICER
60 CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION
61 ENDORSEMENTS AND CERTIFICATE TO BE COPIED AND DOCUMENTRETURNED
62 PROCEDURE ON PRESENTING DOCUMENT IN LANGUAGE UNKNOWNTO REGISTERING OFFICER
63 POWER TO ADMINISTER OATHS AND RECORD OF SUBSTANCE OFSTATEMENTS
64 PROCEDURE WHERE DOCUMENT RELATES TO LAND IN SEVERALSUBDISTRICTS
65 PROCEDURE WHERE DOCUMENT RELATES TO LAND IN SEVERALDISTRICTS
66 PROCEDURE AFTER REGISTRATION OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TOLAND
67 PROCEDURE AFTER REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 30, SUBSECTION (2)
68 POWER OF REGISTRAR TO SUPERINTEND AND CONTROL SUBREGISTRARS
69 POWER OF INSPECTORGENERAL TO SUPERINTEND REGISTRATIONOFFICERS AND MAKE RULES
70 POWER OF INSPECTOR GENERAL TO REMIT FINES
PART XIA. THE COPYING OF DOCUMENTS BY MEANS OF PHOTOGRAPHY
70 A APPLICATION OF THIS PART
70 B DEFINITION
70 C APPOINTMENT OF PHOTOREGISTRARS
70 D DOCUMENTS MAY BE PHOTOGRAPHED IN AREAS NOTIFIED BY
GOVERNMENT
70 E APPLICATION OF ACT TO AREAS NOTIFIED UNDER SECTION 70D
70 F THE INSPECTOR
PART XII. REFUSAL TO REGISTER
71 REASONS FOR REFUSAL TO REGISTER TO BE RECORDED
72 APPEAL TO REGISTRAR FROM ORDERS OF SUBREGISTRAR REFUSING REGISTRATION ON GROUND OTHER THAN DENIAL OF EXECUTION
73 APPLICATION TO REGISTRAR WHERE SUBREGISTRAR REFUSES TOREGISTER ON GROUND OF DENIAL OF EXECUTION
74 PROCEDURE OF REGISTRAR ON SUCH APPLICATION
75 ORDER BY REGISTRAR TO REGISTER AND PROCEDURE THEREON
76 ORDER OF REFUSAL BY REGISTRAR
77 SUIT IN CASE OF ORDER OF REFUSAL BY REGISTRAR
PART XIII. THE FEES FOR REGISTRATION, SEARCHES AND COPIES
78 FEES TO BE FIXED BY PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
79 PUBLICATION OF FEES
80 FEES PAYABLE ON PRESENTATION
PART XIV. PENALTIES
81 PENALTY FOR INCORRECTLY ENDORSING, COPYING, TRANSLATINGOR REGISTERING DOCUMENTS WITH INTENT TO INJURE
82 PENALTY FOR MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS, DELIVERING FALSECOPIES OR TRANSACTION, FALSE PERSONATION, AND ABETMENT
83 REGISTERING OFFICER MAY COMMENCE PROSECUTIONS
84 REGISTERING OFFICERS TO BE DEEMED PUBLIC SERVANTS
PART XV. MISCELLANEOUS
85 DESTRUCTION OF UNCLAIMED DOCUMENTS
86 REGISTERING OFFICER NOT LIABLE FOR THING BONA FIDE DONE ORREFUSED IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY
87 NOTHING SO DONE IN VALIDATED BY DEFECT IN APPOINTMENT ORPROCEDURE
88 REGISTRATION OF DOCUMENTS EXECUTED BY GOVERNMENTOFFICERS CERTAIN PUBLIC FUNCTIONARIES
89 COPIES OF CERTAIN ORDERS, CERTIFICATES AND INSTRUMENTS TOBE SENT TO REGISTERING OFFICERS AND FILED
90 EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS EXECUTED BY OR IN FAVOUROF GOVERNMENT
91 INSPECTION AND COPIES OF SUCH DOCUMENTS
92 BURMESE REGISTRATION RULES CONFIRMED
93 REPEAL
THE SCHEDULE. REPEAL OF ENACTMENTS
THE REGISTRATION ACT, 1908
1ACT NO. XVI OF 1908
[18th December, 1908]
An Act to consolidate the enactments relating to the Registration of Documents.
WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate the enactments relating to the registration of documents;
It is hereby enacted as follows: ‑
PART I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title, extent and commencement.__ (1) This Act may be called the 2*Registration Act, 1908.
1For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see Gazette of India, 1908, Pt. V. p. 325, for Report of Select Committee, see ibid., 1908, Pt. V. p. 387; and for Proceeding in Council, see ibid, 1908, Pt. VI, pp. 148, 154 and 182. This Act has been declared to be in force in Baluchistan by s. 3 of the British Baluchistan Laws Regulation, 1913, (2 of 1913). It has been extended to the Leased Areas of Baluchistan, see the Leased Areas (Laws) Order, 1950 (G.G.O. 3 of 1950); and applied in the Federated Areas of Baluchistan, see Gazette of India, 1937, Pt. I, p. 1499 It bas been extended to the Baluchistan States Union by the Baluchistan States Union (Federal Laws) (Extension) Order, 1953 (G.G.O. 4 of 1953), as amended. It has been extended to the Khairpur State by the Khairpur (Federal Laws) (Extension) Order, 1953 (G.G.O. 5 of 1953), as amended. The Act has been and shall be deemed to have been brought into force in Gwadur with effect from the 8th September, 1958, by the Gwadur (Application of Central Laws) Ordinance, 1960 (37 of 1960), s. 2. It has been amended in Sind by the Transfer of Property and the Indian Registration (Sind Amdt.) Act, 1939 (Sind 14 of 1939) and the Indian Registration (Amdt.) Act, 1946 (Sind 7 of 1946). It has been amended in the Punjab by the Indian Registration (Punjab Amdt.) Act, 1941 (Punjab 8 of 1941). It has also been applied to Phulera in the excluded Area of Upper Tanawal to the extent the Act is applicable in the N.W.F.P., and has been extended to the Excluded Area of Upper Tanawal other than Phulera by the N.W.F.P. (Upper Tanawal) (Excluded Area) Laws Regulation, 1950 and declared to be in force in that area with effect from the 1st June, 1951, see N.W.F.P. Gazette Ext., dated the 1st June, 1951. The Act, as in force in the NorthWest Frontier Province immediately before the commencement of N.W.F.P. Regulation No. II of 1974, has been applied to Provincially Administered Tribal Areas of Chitral, Dir, Kalam, Swat and Malakand Protected Area, by N.W.F.P. Regulation No II of 1974, s.3 2The word “Indian” Omitted by A.O,. 1949.
(2) It extends to the 1[whole of Pakistan], except such districts or tracts of country as the 2[Provincial Government] may3* * * exclude from its operation.
(3) It shall come into force on the first day of January, 1909.
2. Definitions. In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,__
(1) “addition” means the place of residence, and the profession, trade, rank and title, (if any) of a person described,4 * * *and his father’s name, or where he is usually described as the son of his mother, then his mother’s name:
(2) “book” includes a portion of a book and also any number of sheets connected together with a view of forming a book or portion of a book:
5[(2a) “co‑operative society” means a co‑operative society registered under the Co‑operative Societies Act, 1912 (II of 1912), or under any other law for the time being in force relating to the registration of cooperative societies :]
(3) “district” and “sub‑district” respectively mean a district and subdistrict formed under this Act:
(4) “District Court” includes the High Court in its ordinary original civil jurisdiction:
(5) “endorsement” and “endorsed” include and apply to an entry in writing by a registering officer on a rider or covering slip to any document tendered for registration under this Act:
6[(6) “immovable property” includes land, buildings,
1Subs. by Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (21 of 1960) s. 3 and 2nd Sch. (with effect from 14th October, 1955) for “all the provinces and the Capital of the Federation” which had been subs. by the A.O., 1949, for the “whole of British India”. 2 Subs. by A.O., 1937, for “L.G.”. 3 The words “with the previous sanction of the G.G. in C.” omitted by the Devolution Act, 1920 (38 of 1920), s. 2 and First Sch. 4The words, comma and brackets “and, in the case of a native of [Pakistan] his caste (if any)” omitted by Ordinance 21 of 1960, s. 3 and 2nd Sch. (with effect from the 14th October, 1955). The word in crochet was subs. by A. O., 1949, for “India”. 5 Clause (2a) ins. by the Registration Act (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1961 (32 of 1961), s. 2. 6Subs. by the Registration (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1962 (45 of 1962), s. 2, for the original clause.
benefits to arise out of land things attached to the earth, or permanently fastened to anything attached to the earth, hereditary allowances, rights to ways, lights, ferries and fisheries but does not include___
(a) standing timber, growing crops or grass whether immediate severance thereof it intended or not;
(b) fruit upon and juice in trees whether in existence or to grow in future; and
(c) machinery embedded in or attached to the earth, when dealt with apart from the land:]
1[(7) “lease” includes a counterpart, kabuliyat and an undertaking to cultivate or occupy:]
(8) “minor” means a person who, according to the personal law to which he is subject, has not attained majority:
1[(9) “movable property” means property of every description, except immovable property:]
1. “representative” includes the guardian of a minor and the committee or other legal curator of a lunatic or idiot.
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PART II
OF THE REGISTRATIONESTABLISHMENT
3. Inspector‑General of Registration.__ (1) The 2[Provincial Government] shall appoint an officer to be the Inspector‑General of Registration for the territories subject to such Government:
Provided that the 2[Provincial Government] may, instead of making such appointment, direct that all or any of the powers and duties hereinafter conferred and imposed upon the Inspector‑General shall be exercised and performed by such office or officers, and within such local limits, as the 2[Provincial Government] appoints in this behalf.
(2) Any Inspector‑General may hold simultaneously any other office 3[in the service of the State.]
1Subs. by the Registration (Amdt) Ordinance, 1962 (45 of 1962), s. 2 for the original clause. 2 Subs. by A. O., 1937, for “L. G.”. 3Subs. by A. O., 1961, Art. 2 and Sch. (with effect from the 23rd March 1956), for, “under the Crown” which had been subs., by A. O., 1937, for “under Government”.
4. [Branch Inspector‑General of Sindh.] Rep. by the A.O.,1937.
5. Districts and sub‑districts.(1) For the purposes of this Act, the 1[Provincial Government] shall 2form districts and sub‑districts, and shall prescribe, and may alter, the limits of such districts and sub‑districts.
(2) The district and sub‑districts formed under this section, together with the limits thereof, and every alteration of such limits, shall be notified in the 3[Official Gazette].
(3) Every such alteration shall take effect on such day after the date of the notification as is therein mentioned.
46. Registrars and Sub‑Registrars. The 1[Provincial Government] may appoint such persons, whether public officers or not, as it thinks proper, to be Registrars of the several districts, and to be Sub‑Registrars of the several sub‑districts, formed as aforesaid, respectively.
5* * * * * *
7. Offices of Registrars and Sub‑Registrars.__(1) The 1[Provincial Government] shall establish in every district an office to be styled the offices of the Registrar and in every sub‑district an office or officers to be styled the office of the Sub‑Registrar or the offices of the Joint Sub‑Registrars.
(2) The 1[Provincial Government] may amalgamate with any office of a Registrar any office of a Sub‑Registrar subordinate to such Registrar, and may authorize any Sub‑Registrar whose office has been so amalgamated to exercise and perform, in addition to his own powers and duties all or any of the powers and duties of the Registrar, to whom he is subordinate:
Provided that no such authorization shall enable a Sub‑Registrar to hear an appeal against an order passed by himself under this Act.
1 Subs. by A. O., 1937, for “L. G.”. 2 For Notifin. in respect of Sind, directing that the Province of Sind shall be divided into nine (9) Registration Districts, see Sind Govt. Gazette, 1954, Pt. I, p. 137. For Notifin. of Registration Districts consisting of the subdistrict.; see Sind Govt. Gazette, 1954, Pt. I, p. 513. 3 Subs. by A. O., 1937, for “local official Gazette”. 4S. 6 has been amended in its application to the Province of Sind by the Indian Registration (Amdt.) Act, 1946 (Sind Act 7 of 1946), s. 2. 5 The proviso to s. 6, ins. by the Decentralization Act, 1914 (4 of 1914), s. 2 and Sch. Pt. I, omitted by A. O., 1937.
8. Inspectors of Registration offices.__(1) The 1[Provincial Government] may also appoint officers, to be called Inspectors of Registrationoffices, and may prescribe the duties of such officers2.
(2) Every such Inspector shall be subordinate to the Inspector‑General.
9. [Military Cantonments may be declared sub‑districts or districts.] Rep. by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1927( X o f 1927), section 3 and Second Schedule.
10. Absence of Registrar or vacancy in his office.___ (1) When any Registrar, 3* * * is absent otherwise than on duty in his district, or when his office is temporarily vacant, any person whom the Inspector‑General appoints in this behalf, or, in default of such appointment, the Judge of the District Court within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the Registrar’s office is situate, shall be the Registrar during such absence or until the 1[Provincial Government] fills up the vacancy.
4* * * * * * *
11. Absence of Registrar on duty in his district. When any Registrar is absent from his office on duty in his district, he may appoint any Sub‑Registrar or other person in his district to perform, during such absence, all the duties of a Registrar except those mentioned in sections 68 and 72.
12. Absence of Sub‑Registrar or vacancy in his office. When any Sub‑Registrar is absent, or when his office is temporarily vacant, any person whom the Registrar of the district appoints in this behalf shall be SubRegistrar during such absence, or until 5[the vacancy is filled up].
13. Report to Provincial Government of appointments under sections 10, 11 and 12.__ (1) 6* * * All appointments made under section 10, section 11 or section 12 shall be reported to the 1[Provincial Government] by the Inspector‑General.
(2) Such report shall be either special or general, as the 1[Provincial Government] directs.
1 Subs. by A. O.,1937, for “L. G.”. 2 The proviso to subsection (1) of s. 8 ins. by the Indian Registration (Bombay Amdt.) Act, 1929 (Bom. 5 of 1929), s. 2, omitted by A.O., 1937. 3The words “other than the Registrar of a district including a Presidencytown” omitted by A.O., 1949. 4Subsection (2) omitted, ibid. 5 Subs., by the Decentralization Act, 1914 (4 of 1914), s. 2 and Sch.,Pt. I, for “the L. G. fins up the vacancy”. 6The words “All appointments made by the InspectorGeneral under section 6 and”, ins. Ibid., were omitted by A. O..,1937.
1* * * * * * *
14. Establishment of registering officers.1* * * * * * *
(2)The 2[Provincial Government] may allow proper establishments for the several offices under this Act.
15. Seal of registering officers. The several Registrars and SubRegistrars shall use a seal bearing the following inscription in English and in such other language as the 2 [Provincial Government] direct:___ “The seal of the Registrar (or the Sub‑Registrar) of ”.
16. Register‑books and fire‑proof boxes.__(1) The 2[Provincial Government] shall provide for the office of every registering officer the books necessary for the purposes of this Act.
(2) The books so provided shall contain the forms from time to time prescribed by the Inspector‑General with the sanction of the 2[Provincial Government], and the pages of such books shall be consecutively numbered in print and the number of pages in each book shall be certified on the titlepage by the officer by whom such books are issued.
(3) The 2[Provincial Government] shall supply the office of every Registrar with a fire‑proof box, and shall in each district make suitable provision for the safe custody of the records connected with the registration of documents in such district.
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PART III
OF REGISTRABLE DOCUMENTS
17. Documents of which registration is compulsory.__ (1) The following documents shall be registered, if the property to which they relate is situate in a district in which, and if they have been executed on or after the date on which, Act No. XVI of 1864, or the Indian Registration Act, 1866 (XX of 1866), or the Indian Registration Act, 1871 (VIII of 1871), or the Indian Registration Act, 1877 (III of 1877), or this Act came or comes into force, namely:__
(a) instruments of gift of immovable property;
1Subsection (3) of s. 13 and subsection (1) of s. 14 relating to the suspension, removal, dismissal and remuneration of persons appointed under the Act were omitted by A.O., 1937. These conditions of service are now regulated by rules under s. 241 (2) of the G. of 1. Act, 1935. 2Subs. by A. O., 1937, for “L. G.”.
(b) other non‑testamentary instruments which purport or operate to create, declare, assign, limit or extinguish, whether in present or in future, any right, title or interest, whether vested or contingent, of the value of one hundred rupees and upwards, to or in immovable property;
1[Explanation.___ In the case of an assignment of a mortgage the consideration for the deed of assignment shall be deemed to be the value for registration;]
(c) non‑testamentary instruments 2[(other than the acknowledgment of a receipt or payment made in respect of any transaction to which an instrument registered under clause (o) relates)] which acknowledge the receipt or payment of any consideration on account of the creation, declaration, assignment, limitation or extinction of any such right, title or interest; and
(d) leases of immovable property from year to year, or for any term exceeding one year, or reserving a yearly rent;
3[(e) non‑testamentary instruments transferring or assigning any decree or order of a Court or any award when such decree or order or award purports or operates to create, declare, assign, limit or extinguish, whether in present or in future, any right, title or interest, whether vested or contingent, of the value of one hundred rupees and upwards, to or in immovable property:]
Provided that the 4[Provincial Government] may, by order published in the 5[official Gazette], exempt from the operation of this sub‑section any leases executed in any district, or part of a district, the terms granted by which do not exceed five years and the annual rents reserved by which do not exceed fifty rupees.
(2) Nothing in clauses (b) and (c) of sub‑section (1) applies to‑
(i) any composition deed; or
(ii) any instrument relating to shares in a Joint Stock Company, notwithstanding that the assets of such Company consist in whole or in part of immovable property; or
1Explanation added by the Registration (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1962 (45 of 1962), s.33 2 Ins. ibid. 3 Clause (e) ins. by the Transfer of Property (Amdt.) Supplementary Act, 1929 (21 of 1929), s. 10. 4 Subs. by A. O., 1937, for “L. G.”. 5Subs. ibid., for “loca1 official Gazette”.
(iii) any debenture issued by any such Company and not creating, declaring, assigning, limiting, or extinguishing any right, title or interest, to or in immovable property except in so far as it entitles the holder to the security afforded by a registered instrument whereby the Company has mortgaged, conveyed or otherwise transferred the whole or part of its immovable property or any interest therein to trustees upon trust for the benefit of the holders of such debentures; or
(iv) any endorsement upon or transfer of any debenture issued by any such Company; or
(v) any document not itself creating, declaring, assigning, limiting or extinguishing any right, title or interest of the value of one hundred rupees and upwards to or in immovable property, but merely creating a right to obtain another document which will, when executed, create, declare, assign, limit or extinguish any such right, title or interest; or
(vi) any decree or order of a Court 1[except a decree or order expressed to be made on a compromise and comprising immovable property other than that which is the subject‑matter of the suit or proceeding]; or
(vii) any grant of immovable property by 2[the Government]; or
(viii) any instrument of partition made by a Revenue officer; or
(ix) any order granting a loan or instrument of collateral security granted under the3* * * the Land Improvement Loans Act, 1883(XIX of 1883); or
4[(x) any order granting a loan under the 5[West Pakistan Agriculturist’s Act, 1958 (W.P Act XVII of 1958)], the Agricultural Development Bank Ordinance, 1961(IV of 1961), or
1Subs. by the Transfer of Property (Amdt.) Supplementary Act, 1929 (21 of 1929), s. 10, for “and any award”. 2The word "Government" was first subs. by A. O., 1937, and then amended by A.O., 1961, Art. 2 (with .effect from the 23rd March, 1956), to read as above. 3The words “the Land Improvement Act, 1871,” omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3 and Second Sch. 4Subs. by the Registration Act (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1961 (32 of 1961) s. 3, for the original clause. 5 Subs. by Ordinance 27 of 1981, s.3 and Second Sch., for “Agriculturist’s Loans Act, 1884”.
under any other law for the time being in force relating to the advancement of loans for agricultural purpose, or any instrument under which a loan is granted by a co‑operative society for any such purpose, or any instrument made for securing the repayment of a loan so granted; or]
(xi) any endorsement on a mortgage‑deed acknowledging the payment of the whole or any part of the mortgage‑money, and any other receipt for payment of money due under a mortgage 1* * * ; or
(xii) any certificate of sale granted to the purchaser of any property sold by public auction by a Civil or Revenue officer 2[; or]
3[(xiii) any counterpart of a lease, where the lease corresponding thereto has itself been registered.]
4[Explanation.___ A document purporting or operating to effect a contract for the sale of immovable property shall not be deemed to require or ever to have required registration by reason only of the fact that such document contains a recital of the payment of any earnest money or of the whole or any part of the purchase money.]
(3) Authorities to adopt a son, executed after the first day of January, 1872, and not conferred by a will, shall also be registered.
5[18. Documents of which registration is optional. Any document not required to be registered under section 17 may also be registered under this Act.]
19. Documents in language not understood by registering officer. If any document duly presented for registration be in a language which the registering officer does not understand, and which is not commonly used in the district, he shall refuse to register the document, unless it be accompanied by a true translation into a language commonly used in the district and also by a true copy.
20. Documents containing interlineations blanks, erasures or alterations.__ (1) The registering officer may in his discretion refuse to accept for registration any document in which any interlineation,
1 The words “when the receipt does not purport to extinguish the mortgage” omitted by the Registration (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1962 (45 of 1962), s. 3. 2 Subs. ibid., for the fullstop. 3Clause (xiii) added, ibid. 4 Explanation ins. by the Indian Registration (Amdt.) Act, 1927 1927), s. 2 5 Subs. by Ordinance 45 of 1962, s. 4, for the original section 18, as amended by the Indian Registration (Sind Amdt.) Act, 1939 (Sind Act 14 of 1939), and the Indian Registration (Amdt.) Act, 1940 (33 of 1940), s. 2.
blank, erasure or alteration appears, unless the persons executing the document attest with their signatures or initials such interlineation, blank, erasure or alteration.
(2) If the registering officer registers any such document, he shall, at the time of registering the same, make a note in the register of such interlineation, blank, erasure or alteration.
21. Description of property and maps or plans.__ (1) No nontestamentary document relating to immovable property shall be accepted for registration unless it contains a description of such property sufficient to identify the same.
(2) Houses in towns shall be described as situate on the north or other side of the street or road (which should be specified) to which they front, and by their existing and former occupancies, and by their numbers if the houses in such street or road are numbered.
(3) Other houses and lands shall be described by their name, if any, and as being in the territorial division in which they are situate, and by their superficial contents, the roads and other properties on which they abut, and their existing occupancies, and also, whenever it is practicable, by reference to a Government map or survey.
(4) No non‑testamentary document containing a map or plan of any property comprised therein shall be accepted for registration unless it is accompanied by a true copy of the map or plan, or, in case such property is situate in several districts, by such number of true copies of the map or plan as are equal to the number of such districts.
22. Description of houses and land by reference to Government maps or surveys.__(1) Where it is, in the opinion of the 1[Provincial Government], practicable to describe houses, not being houses in towns, and lands by reference to a Government map or survey, the 1[Provincial Government] may, by rule made under this Act, require that such houses and lands as aforesaid shall, for the purposes of section 21, be so described.
(2) Save as otherwise provided by any rule made under sub‑section (1), failure to comply with the provisions of section 21, sub‑section (2) or subsection (3), shall not disentitle a document to be registered if the description of the property to which it relates is sufficient to identify that property.
1Subs. by A. O., 1937, for “L. G.”.
PART IV
OF THE TIME OF PRESENTATION
23. Time for presenting documents. Subject to the provisions contained in sections 24, 25 and 26, no document other than a will shall be accepted for registration unless presented for that purpose to the proper officer within four months from the date of its execution:
Provided that a copy of a decree or order may be presented within four months from the day on which the decree or order was made, or, where it is appealable, within four months from the day on which it becomes final.
1[23A. Reregistration of certain documents. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act, if in any case a document requiring registration has been accepted for registration by a Registrar or SubRegister from a person not duly empowered to present the same, and has been registered, any person claiming under such document may, within four months from his first becoming aware that the registration of such document is invalid, present such document or cause the same to be presented, in accordance with the provisions of Part VI for re‑registration in the office of the Registrar of the district in which the document was originally registered; and upon the Registrar being satisfied that the document was so accepted for registration from a person not duly empowered to present the same, he shall proceed to the reregistration of the document as if it had not been previously registered, and as if such presentation for re‑registration was a presentation for registration made within the time allowed therefore under Part IV, and all the provisions of this Act, as to registration of documents, shall apply to such re‑registration; and such document, if duly re‑registered in accordance with the provisions of this section, shall be deemed to have been duly registered for all purposes from the date of its original registration :
Provided that, within three months from the twelfth day of September, 1917, any person claiming under a document to which this section applies may present the same of cause the same to be presented for re‑registration in accordance with this section, whatever may have been the time when he first became aware that the registration of the document was invalid.]
1S. 23A ins. by the Indian Registration (Amdt) Act, 1917 (15 of 1917), section. 2
24. Documents executed by several persons at different times. Where there are several persons executing a document at different times, such document may be presented for registration and re‑registration within four months from the date of each execution.
25. Provision where delay in presentation is unavoidable.(1) If, owing to urgent necessity or unavoidable accident, any document executed, or copy of a decree or order made, in 1[Pakistan] is not presented for registration till after the expiration of the time hereinbefore prescribed in that behalf, the Registrar, in cases where the delay in presentation does not exceed four months, may direct that, on payment of a fine not exceeding ten times the amount of the proper registration‑fee, such document shall be accepted for registration.
(2) Any application for such direction may be lodged with a SubRegistrar, who shall forthwith forward it to the Registrar to whom he is subordinate.
26. Documents executed out of the Provinces, etc. When a document purporting to have been executed by all or any of the parties out of 1[Pakistan] is not presented for registration till after the expiration of the time hereinbefore prescribed in that behalf, the registering officer, if satisfied—
(a) that the instrument was so executed, and
(b) that it has been presented for registration within four months after its arrival in 1[Pakistan],
may, on payment of the proper registration fee, accept such document for registration.
27. Wills may be presented or deposited at any time. A will may at any time be presented for registration or deposited in manner hereinafter provided.
1Subs. by the Central Laws (Statute Reforms) Ordinance, 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3 and 2nd Sch (with effect from the 14th October, 1955), for “the Provinces and the Capital of Federation’ which had been subs. by A.O., 1949, for “British India”,
PART V
OF THE PLACE OF REGISTRATION
128. Place for registering documents relating to land. 2[(1)] Save as in this Part otherwise provided, every document mentioned in section 17, subsection (1), clauses (a), (b), (c) 3[,(d) and (e), section 17, subsection (2), and section 18, in so for as such documents affects immoveable property] shall be presented for registration in the office of a SubRegistrar within whose subdistrict the whole or some portion of the property to which such document relates is situate.
4[(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in subsection (1),__
(a) after a document is registered, no party thereto shall be entitled to question the validity of its registration on the ground that the property which purported to give jurisdiction to the SubRegistrar to register it either did not exist or was fictitious or insignificant or was not intended to be conveyed; and
(b) a document the registration of which is secured by the inclusion of a nonexistent, fictitious or insignificant portion or item shall not in any manner affect the rights of a person who was not a party thereto and acquired rights in the property without notice of the transaction to which such document relates.]
29. Place for registering other documents.__ (1) Every document 5[not being a document referred to in section 28 or a copy of a decree or order], may be presented for registration either in the office of the SubRegistrar in whose subdistrict the document was executed, or in the office of any other SubRegistrar under the 6[Provincial Government] at which all the persons executing and claiming under the document desire the same to be registered.
1 This section has been amended in its application to the Province of Sind by the Transfer of Property and the Indian Registration (Sind Amdt.) Act, 1939 (Sind 14 of 1939). 2 Renumbered by the Registration (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1962 (45 of 1962), s. 4. . 3 The original words “and (d) and section 18, clauses (a), (b) and (c)”. have successively been amended by the Indian Registration (Amdt.) Act, 1940 (33 of 1940), s. 3 and Ordinance 45 of 1962, s. 5, to read as above. 4 Subsection (2) added by Ordinance 45 of 1962, s. 5. 5 Subs. by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1940 (32 of 1940), s. 3 and Second Sch., for “other than a document referred to in section 28, and a copy of a decree or order” 6 Subs. by A. O.1937, for “LG.”.
(2) A copy of a decree or order may be presented for registration in the office of the Sub Registrar in whose subdistrict the original decree or order was made, or, where the decree or order does not affect immoveable property, in the office of any other SubRegistrar under the l[Provincial Government] at which all the persons claiming under the decree or order desire the copy to be registered .
30. Registration by Registrars in certain cases.__(1) Any Registrar may in his discretion receive and register any document which might be registered by any SubRegistrar subordinate to him.
2[(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 28 any Registrar may receive and register any document without regard to the situation in any part of Pakistan of the property to which the document relates if he is satisfied that there is sufficient cause for doing so.]
31. Registration or acceptance for deposit at private residence. 3[ The presentation, registration or deposit of documents under this Act shall ordinarily] be made only at the office of the officer authorized to accept the same for registration or deposit:
Provided that such officer may on special cause being shown attend at the residence of any person desiring to present a document for registration or to deposit a will, and accept for registration or deposit such document or will.
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PART VI
OF PRESENTING DOCUMENTS FOR REGISTRATION
32. Persons to present documents for registration. Except in the cases mentioned in 4* * * section 89, every document to be registered under this Act, whether such registration be compulsory or optional, shall be presented 5* * *,___
(a) by some person executing or claiming under the same, or, in the case of a copy of a decree or order, claiming under the decree or order, or
1 Subs. by A. O., 1937 for “L. G”. 2 Subs. by the Registration (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1962 (45 of 1962), s. 6, for the original subsection (2) as amended by A.O., 1949, the Registration (Amdt.) Act, 1950 (69 of 1950), s.2. the Registration (Amdt). Act, 1957 (1 of 1958), s. 2 and the Central laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3 and 2nd Sch. (with effect from the 14th October, 1955) 3 Subs. by Ordinance 45 of 1962, ss. 6 and 7, for “In Ordinary cases the registration or deposit of documents under this Act, shall”. 4 The words and figures “section 31 and” omitted ibid., s. 8. 5 The words “at the proper registrationoffice” omitted, ibid.
(b) by the representative or assign of such person, or
(c) by the agent of such person, representative or assign, duly authorized by powerof attorney executed and authenticated in manner hereinafter mentioned.
33. Power of attorney recognizable for purposes of section 32.__(1) For the purposes of section 32, the following powersofattorney shall alone be recognized, namely :__
(a) if the principal at the time of executing the powerofattorney resides in any part of l[Pakistan] in which this Act is for the time being in force, a powerofattorney executed before and authenticated by the Registrar or SubRegistrar within whose district or sub district the principal resides;
(b) if the principal at the time aforesaid resides in any other part of l[Pakistan], a powerof attorney executed before and authenticated by any Magistrate;
(c) if the principal at the time aforesaid does not reside in l[Pakistan] a powerofattorney executed before and authenticated by a Notary Public, or any Court, Judge, Magistrate, 2[Pakistan] Consul or ViceConsul or representative of 3* * * the 4[Federal Government] :
Provided that the following persons shall not be required to attend at any registrationoffice or Court for the purpose of executing any such powerofattorney as is mentioned in clauses (a) and (b) of this section, namely ;
(i) persons who by reason of bodily infirmity are unable without risk or serious inconvenience so to attend;
(ii) persons who are in jail under civil or criminal process; and
(iii) persons exempt by law from personal appearance in Court.
1 Subs. by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960. (21 of 1960), s. 3 and 2nd Sch. (with effect from the 14th. October 1955), for “the Provinces and the Capita! of the Federation” which had been subs. by A O.,. 1949., for “British India”. 2 Subs. by A. O., 1961, Art. 2 and Sch. for “British” (with effect from the 23rd March, 1956.). 3 The words “His Majesty or of” omitted ibid (with effect from the 23rd March, 1956). 4 Subs. by F. A. O. 1975, Art. 2 and Table, for “Central Government”, which was subs. by A.O., 1937, for “G. of 1”.
(2) In the case of every such person the Registrar or SubRegistrar or Magistrate, as the case may be, if satisfied that the powerofattorney has been voluntarily executed by the person purporting to be the principal, may attest the same without requiring his personal attendance at the office or Court aforesaid.
(3) To obtain evidence as to the voluntary nature of the execution, the Registrar or SubRegistrar or Magistrate may either himself go to the house of the person purporting to be the principal, or to the jail in which he is confined, and examine him, or issue a commission for his examination.
(4) Any powerofattorney mentioned in this section may be proved by the production of it without further proof when it purports on the face of it to have been executed before and authenti cated by the person or Court hereinbefore mentioned in that behalf.
34. Enquiry before registration by registering officer.__ (1) Subject to the provisions contained in this Part and in sections 41,43, 45, 69, 75, 77, 88, and 89, no document shall be registered under this Act, unless the persons executing such document, or their representatives, assigns or agents authorized as aforesaid, appear before the registering officer within the time allowed for presentation under sections 23, 24, 25 and 26 :
Provided that, if owing to urgent necessity or unavoidable accident all such persons do not so appear, the Registrar, in cases where the delay in appearing does not exceed four months, may direct that on payment of a fine not exceeding ten times the amount of the proper registration fee, in addition to the fine, if any, payable under section 25, the document may be registered.
(2) Appearances under subsection (1) may be simultaneous or at different times.
(3) The registering officer shall thereupon—
(a) enquire whether or not such document was executed by the persons by whom it purports to have been executed;
(b) satisfy himself as to the identity of the persons appearing before him and alleging that they have executed the document; and
(c) in the case of any person appearing as a representative, assign or agent, satisfy himself of the right of such person so to appear.
(4) Any application for a direction under the proviso to subsection (1) may be lodged with a Sub Registrar, who shall forthwith forward it to the Registrar to whom he is subordinate.
(5) Nothing in this section applies to copies of decrees or orders.
35.Procedure on admission and denial of execution respectively.__ (1) (a) If all the persons executing the document appear personally before the registering officer and are personally known to him, or if he be otherwise satisfied that they are the persons they represent themselves to be, and if they all admit the execution of the document, or
(b) if in the case of any person appearing by a representative, assign or agent, such representative, assign or agent admits the execution, or
(c) if the person executing the document is dead, and his representative or assign appears before the registering officer and admits the execution,
the registering officer shall register the document as directed in sections 58 to 61, inclusive.
(2) The registering officer may, in order to satisfy himself that the persons appearing before him are the persons they represent themselves to be, or for any other purpose contemplated by this Act, examine any one present in his office.
(3) (a) If any person by whom the document purports to be executed denies its execution, or
(b) if any such person appears to the registering officer to be a minor, an idiot or a lunatic, or
(c) if any person by whom the document purports to be executed is dead, and his representative or assign denies its execution, the registering officer shall refuse to register the document as to the person so denying, appearing or dead:
Provided that, where such officer is a Registrar, he shall follow the procedure prescribed in Part XII :
1[Provided further that the 2[Provincial Government] may, by notification in the 3[official Gazette], declare that any Sub
1Proviso ins. by the Indian Registration (Amdt.) Act, 1926 (13 of 1926), s.2. 2 Subs. by A. O., 1937, for “L. G.” 3 Subs. ibid. for “local official Gazette”.
Registrar named in the notification shall, in respect of documents the execution of which is denied, be deemed to be a Registrar for the purposes of this subsection and of Part XII.]
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PART VII
OF ENFORCING THE APPEARANCE OF EXECUTANTS AND WITNESSES
36. Procedure where appearance of executant or witness is desired. If any person presenting any document for registration or claiming under any document, which is capable of being so pre sented, desires the appearance of any person whose presence or testimony is necessary for the registration of such document, the registering officer may, in his discretion call upon such officer or Court as the l[Provincial Government] directs in this behalf to issue a summons requiring him to appear at the registration office, either in person or by duly authorized agent, as in the summons may be mentioned, and at a time named therein.
37. Officer or Court to issue and cause service of summons. The officer or Court, upon receipt of the peon’s fee payable in such cases, shall issue the summons accordingly, and cause it to be served upon the person whose appearance is so required.
38. Persons exempt from appearance at registration office.__(1) (a) A person who by reason of bodily infirmity is unable without risk or serious inconvenience to appear at the registrationoffice, or
(b) a person in jail under civil or criminal process, or
(c) persons exempt by law from personal appearance in Court,
and who would but for the provision next hereinafter contained be required to appear in person at the registrationoffice,
2) In the case of every such person the registering officer shall either himself go to the house of such person, or to the jail in which he is confined, and examine him or issue a commission for his examination.
39. Law as to summonses, commissions and witnesses. The law in force for the time being as to summonses, commissions and compelling the attendance of witnesses, and for their remuneration in suits before Civil Courts, shall, save as aforesaid and mutatis mutandis, apply to any summons or
1Subs. by A.O., 1937, for “L. G.”.
commission issued and any person summoned to appear, under the provisions of this Act.
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PART VIII
OF PRESENTING WILLS AND AUTHORITIES TO ADOPT
40. Persons entitled to present wills and authorities to adopt.__ (1) The testator, or after his death any person claiming as executor or otherwise under a will, may present it to any Registrar or SubRegistrar for registration.
(2) The donor, or after his death the donee, of any authority to adopt, or the adoptive son, may present it to any Registrar or SubRegistrar for registration.
41. Registration of wills and authorities to adopt.__ (1) A will or an authority to adopt, presented for registration by the testator or donor, may be registered in the same manner as any other document.
(2) A will or authority to adopt presented for registration by any other person entitled to present it shall be registered if the registering officer is satisfied—
(a) that the will or authority was executed by the testator or donor, as the case may be;
(b) that the testator or donor is dead; and
(c) that the person presenting the will or authority is, under section 40, entitled to present the same.
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PART IX
l[DEPOSIT AND DISPOSAL OF WILLS]
42. Deposit of wills. 2[(1)] Any testator may, either personally or by duly authorized agent, deposit with any Registrar his will in a sealed cover superscribed with the name of the testator and that of his agent (if any) and with a statement of the nature of the document.
3[(2) The testator shall also endorse on the cover the name
1 Subs. by the Registration (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1962 (45 of 1962), s. 9, for “OF THE DEPOSIT OF WILLS”. 2 Renumbered, ibid., s. 10. 3 Subsection (2) added ibid.
and address of the person to whom the original document shall be delivered after registration thereof, after his death.]
43. Procedure on deposit of wills. On receiving such cover, the Registrar, if satisfied that the person presenting the same for deposit is the testator or his agent, shall transcribe in his Registerbook No.5 the superscription aforesaid, and shall note in the same book and on the said cover the year, month, day and hour of such presentation and receipt, and the names of any persons who may testify to the identity of the testator or his agent, and any legible inscription which may be on the seal of the cover.
(2) The Registrar shall then place and retain the sealed cover in his fireproof box.
44. Withdrawal of sealed cover deposited under section 42. If the testator who has deposited such cover wishes to withdraw it, he may apply, either personally or by duly authorized agent, to the Registrar who holds it in deposit, and such Registrar, if satisfied that the applicant is actually the testator or his agent, shall deliver the cover accordingly.
45. Proceedings on death of depositor.(1) If, on the death of a testator who has deposited a sealed cover under section 42, application be made to the Registrar who holds it in deposit to open the same, and if the Registrar is satisfied that the testator is dead, he shall, in the applicant’s presence, open the cover, and, at the applicant’s expense, cause the contents thereof to be copied into his Book No.3 l[and then deliver the deposited will to the nominee of the testator or his representative].
2[(2) If, in respect of any will deposited, no steps are taken by the testator or other person under section 44 or subsection (1) of this section, the Registrar shall follow the procedure hereinafter provided for the disposal of such will or sealed cover.]
46. Saving of certain enactments and powers of Courts.(1) Nothing hereinbefore contained shall affect the provisions of section 3[294 of the Succession Act, 1925 (XXXIX of 1925)], 4* * *or the power of any Court by order to compel the production of any wil1.
(2) When any such order is made, the Registrar shall, unless
1 Added by the Registration (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1962 (45 of 1962), s. 11. 2 Subs. ibid, for the original subsection (2). 3 Subs. by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981, (27 of 1981), s. 3 and Second Sch., for “259 of the Indian Succession Act, 1865”. 4 The words “of section 81 of the Probate and Administration Act, 1881,” omitted ibid., s.2 and Second Sch.
the will has been already copied under section 45, open the cover and cause the will to be copied into his Book No.3 and make a note on such copy that the original has been removed into Court in pursuance of the order aforesaid.
1[46A.Destruction of wills.__(1) Any will in deposit with a Registrar at the commencement of the Registration (Amendment) Ordinance, 1962, and any will thereafter deposited may be destroyed after following the procedure hereinafter provided, if the will is not registered before such destruction.
(2) Every registering officer shall on the first day of July in the year next after the commencement of the Registration (Amendment) Ordinance, 1962, and on the first day of July in every succeeding third year, send by post a notice to every depositor and his nominee, inquiring about the depositor’s present address and shall enter on the cover and in his registers any new address supplied in response to such notice.
(3) If, as a result of such notice or in any other manner, the Registrar is satisfied that the testator has died, the Registrar shall, after making an entry in his books as to the death of the testator and the nature of the information on which he has acted, open the cover in the presence of a judicial officer (not below the rank of a Civil Judge or Munsif). He shall thereupon issue a notice to the executor, if any, and also to such other person or persons deriving any benefit under the will as the two officers may determine, informing them about the existence of the will and also that unless steps are taken within a period of six months therefrom for registration of the will the document shall be liable to be destroyed.
(4) Notwithstanding the expiry of the period specified in the notice, until the will is actually destroyed in accordance with the provisions of the destruction of Records Act, 1917 (V of 1917), the registration of the same can be effected, at the request of the person entitled thereto, on payment, of the proper charges.]
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PART X
OF THE EFFECTS OF REGISTRATION AND NONREGISTRATION
47. Time from which registered document operators. A registered document shall operate from the time from which it would have commenced to operate if no registration
1Section 46A, ins. by the Registration (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1962 (45 of 1962), s. 12.
thereof had been required or made, and not from the time of its registration.
48. Registered documents relating to property when to take effect against oral agreements. All nontestamentary documents duly registered under this Act, and relating to any property, whether moveable or immoveable shall take effect against any oral agreement or declaration relating to such property, unless where the agreement or declaration has been accompanied or followed by delivery of possession l[and the same constitutes a valid transfer under any law for the time being in force:
Provided that a mortgage by deposit or titledeeds as defined in section 58 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 (IV of 1882), shall take effect against any mortgagedeed subsequently executed and registered which relates to the same property].
2[49. Effect of nonregistration of documents required to be registered. No document required to be registered under this Act or under any earlier law providing for or relating to registration of documents shall__
(a) operate to create, declare, assign, limit of extinguish, whether in present or in future, any right, title or interest, whether vested or contingent, to or in immoveable property, or
(b) confer any power to adopt,
unless it has been registered.]
50. Certain registered documents relating to land to take effect against unregistered documents.__(1) Every document of the kinds mentioned in clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) of section 17, subsection (1), 3[and every document registerable under section 18, in so far as such document affects immoveable property or acknowledges the receipt or payment of any consideration in respect of any transaction relating to immovable property], shall, if duly registered, take effect as regards the property comprised therein against every unregistered document relating to the same property, and not being a decree or order, whether such unregistered document be of the same nature as the registered document or not 4[:]
5[Provided that the person in processor of the property under an unregistered document prior in date, would be entitled to the
1ins. by the Transfer of Property (Amdt.) Supplementary Act, 1929 (21 of 1929), s. 10. 2Subs. by the Registration (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1962 (45 of 1962), s. 13, for the original section 49, as amended by Act 21 of 1929, s. 10. 3Subs. by Ordinance 45 of 1962, s. 14, for “and clauses (a) and (b) of section 18”. 4Subs. ibid., for the fullstop. 5Provisos added, ibid.
rights under section 53A of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 (IV of 1882) if the conditions of that section are fulfilled:
Provided further that the person in whose favour an unregistered document is executed shall be entitled to enforce the contract under the unregistered document in suit for specific performance against a person claiming under a subsequent registered document, subject to the provisions of clause (b) of section 27 of the Specific Relief Act, 1877 (I of 1877).]
(2) Nothing in subsection (1) applies to leases exempted under the proviso to subsection (1) of section 17 or to any document mentioned in subsection (2) of the same section, or to any registered document which had not priority under the law in force at the commencement of this Act.
Explanation.In cases where Act No. XVI of 1864 or the Indian Registration Act, 1866 (XX of 1866), was in force in the place and at the time in and at which such unregistered document was executed, “unregistered” means not registered according to such Act, and, where the document is executed after the first day of July, 1871 not registered under the Indian Registration Act, 1871 (VIII of 1871), or the Indian Registration Act, 1877 (III of 1877), or this Act.
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PART XI
OF THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF REGISTERING OFFICERS
(A) As to the Registerbooks and Indexes
51. Registerbooks to be kept in the several offices.__(1) The following books shall be kept in the several offices hereinafter named, namely :
A—In all registration offices___
Book 1, “Register of nontestamentary documents relating to immoveable property”;
Book 2, “Record of reasons for refusal to register”;
Book 3, “Register of wills and authorities to adopt”;
and
Book 4, “Miscellaneous Register”;
B—In the offices of Registrars___
Book 5, “Register of deposits of wills.”
(2) In Book 1 shall be entered or filed all documents or memoranda registered under sections 17, 18 and 89 which relate to immoveable property, and are not wills.
(3) In Book 4 shall be entered all documents registered under 1* * * section 18 which do not relate to immoveable property.
(4) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to require more than one set of books where the office of the Registrar has been amalgamated with the office of a SubRegistrar.
2[(5) If, in the opinion of the Registrar, any of the books mentioned in subsection (1) is in danger of being destroyed or becoming illegible wholly or partially, the Registrar may, by a written order, direct such book or portion thereof as he thinks fit, to be recopied and authenticated in such manner as may be prescribed by rules, and the copy prepared and authenticated under such direction shall, for all purposes of this Act and of the Evidence Act, 1872 (I of 1872), be deemed to be the original book or portion and all references in this Act to the original book shall be deemed to be to the book or portion so recopied and authenticated.
52. Duties of registering officers when document presented.__(1) (a) The day, hour and place of presentation, and the signature of every person presenting a document for registration, shall be endorsed on every such document at the time of presenting it ;
(b) a receipt for such document shall be given by the registering officer to the person presenting the same; and
(c) subject to the provisions contained in section 62, every document admitted to registration shall without unnecessary delay be copied in the book appropriated therefor according to the order of its admission.
(2) All such books shall be authenticated at such intervals and in such manner as is from time to time prescribed by the InspectorGeneral.
53. Entries to be numbered consecutively. All entries in each book shall be numbered in a consecutive series, which shall commence and terminate with the year, a fresh series being commenced at the beginning of each year.
54. Current indexes and entries therein. In every office in which any of the books hereinbefore mentioned are kept, there shall be prepared current indexes of the contents of such books; and every entry in such indexes shall be
1Thewords and brackets “c1auses of (d) and (f)” omitted by the Registration (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1962 (45 of 1962), s.15. 2 Subsection (5) added ibid.
made, so far as practicable, immediately after the registering officer has copied, or filed a memorandum of, the document to which it relates.
55. Indexes to be made by registering officers, and their contents.__(1) Four such indexes shall be made in all registration offices, and shall be named, respectively, Index No 1, Index No. II, Index No. III and Index No. IV.
(2) Index No. I shall contain the names and additions of all persons executing and of all persons claiming under every document entered or memorandum filed in Book No.1.
(3) Index No. II shall contain such particulars mentioned in section 21 relating to every such document and memorandum as the InspectorGeneral from time to time directs in that behalf.
(4) Index No. III shall contain the names and additions of all persons executing every will and authority entered in Book No.3, and of the executors and persons respectively appointed thereunder, and after the death of the testator or the donor (but not before) the names and additions of all persons claiming under the same.
(5) Index No. IV shall contain the names and additions of all persons executing and of all persons claiming under every document entered in Book No.4.
(6) Each Index shall contain such other particulars, and shall be prepared in such form, as the InspectorGeneral from time to time directs.
1[(7) If, in the opinion of the Registrar, any of the indexes mentioned in subsection (1) is in danger of being destroyed or becoming illegible wholly or partially, the Registrar may, by a written order, direct such index or portion thereof, as he thinks fit, to be recopied in such manner as may be prescribed by rules, and any copy so prepared shall, for the purposes of this Act and of the Evidence Act, 1872 (I of 1872), be deemed to be the original index or portion and all references in this Act to the original index or portion shall be deemed to be references to the index or portion prepared as aforesaid.]
56. [Copy of entries in Indexes Nos. I, II and III to be sent by SubRegistrar to Registrar and filed.] Rep. by the Indian Registration (Amendment) Act, 1929 (XV of 1929), s. 2.
1Subsection (7) added by the Registration (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1962 (45 of 1962), s. 16.
57. Registering officers to allow inspection of certain books and indexes, and to given certified copies of entries. – (1) Subject to the previous payment of the fees payable in that behalf, the Books Nos. 1 and 2 and the Indexes relating to Book No.1 shall be at all times open to inspection by any person applying to inspect the same; and, subject to the provisions of section 62, copies of entries in such books shall be given to all persons applying for such copies.
(2) Subject to the same provisions, copies of entries in Book No.3 and in the Index relating thereto shall be given to the persons executing the documents to which such entries relate, or to their agents, and after the death of the executants (but not before) to any person applying for such copies.
(3) Subject to the same provisions, copies of entries in Book No.4 and in the Index relating thereto shall be given to any person executing or claiming under the documents to which such entries respectively refer, or to his agent or representative.
(4) The requisite search under this section for entries in Books Nos. 3 and 4 shall be made only by the registering officer.
(5) All copies given under this section shall be signed and sealed by the registering officer, and shall be admissible for the purpose of proving the contents of the original documents.
(B) As to the Procedure on admitting to Registration
58. Particulars to be endorsed on documents admitted to registration.__(1) On every document admitted to registration, other than a copy of a decree or order, or a copy sent to a registering officer under section 89, there shall be endorsed from time to time the foIlowing particulars, namely :
(a) the signature and addition of every person admitting the execution of the document, and, if such execution has been admitted by the representative, assign or agent of any person, the signature and addition of such representative, assign or agent;
(b) the signature and addition of every person examined in reference to such document under any of the provisions of this Act; and
(c) any payment of money or delivery of goods made in the presence of the registering officer in reference to the execution of the document, and any admission of receipt of consideration, in whole or in part, made in his presence in reference to such execution.
(2) If any person admitting the execution of a document refuses to endorse the same, the registering officer shall never the
less register it, but shall at the same time endorse a note of such refusal.
59. Endorsements to be dated and signed by registering officer. The registering officer shall affix the date and his signature to all endorsements made under sections 52 and 58, relating to the same document and made in his presence on the same day.
60. Certificate of registration.(1) After such of the provisions of sections 34, 35, 58 and 59 as apply to any document presented for registration have been complied with, the registering officer shall endorse thereon a certificate containing the word “registered,” together with the number and page of the book in which the document has been copied.
(2) Such certificate shall be signed, sealed and dated by the registering officer; and shall then be admissible for the purpose of proving that the document has been duly registered in manner provided by this Act, and that the facts mentioned in the endorsements referred to in section 59 have occurred as therein mentioned.
61. Endorsements and certificate to be copied and document returned.__ (1) The endorsements and certificate referred to and mentioned in sections 59 and 60 shall thereupon be copied into the margin of the Registerbook, and the copy of the map or plan (if any) mentioned in section 21 shall be filed in Book No.1.
(2) The registration of the document shall thereupon be deemed complete, and the document shall then be returned to the person who presented the same for registration, or to such other person (if any) as he has nominated in writing in that behalf on the receipt mentioned in section 52.
62. Procedure on presenting document in language unknown to registering officer.—(1) When a document is presented for registration under section 19, the translation shall be transcribed in the register of documents of the nature of the original, and, together with the copy referred to in section 19, shall be filed in the registration office.
(2) The endorsements and certificate respectively mentioned in sections 59 and 60 shall be made on the original, and, for the purpose of making the copies and memoranda required by sections 57, 64, 65 and 66, the translation shall be treated as if it were the original.
63. Power to administer oaths and record of substance of statements.__ (1) Every registering officer may at his discretion administer an oath to any person examined by him under the provision of this Act.
(2) Every such officer may also at his discretion record a note of the substance of the statement made by each such person, and such statement shall be read over, or (if made in a language with which such person is not acquainted) interpreted to him in a language with which he is acquainted, and, if he admits the correctness of such note, it shall be signed by the registering officer.
(3) Every such note so signed shall be admissible for the purpose of proving that the statements therein recorded were made by the persons and under the circumstances therein stated.
(C) Special Duties of SubRegistrar
64. Procedure where document relates to land in several subdistricts. Every SubRegistrar on registering a nontestamentary document relating to immoveable property not wholly situate in his own sub district shall make a memorandum thereof and of the endorsement and certificate (if any) thereon, and send the same to every other SubRegistrar subordinate to the same Registrar as himself in whose subdistrict any part of such property is situate, and such SubRegistrar shall file the memorandum in his Book No.1.
65. Procedure where document relates to land in several districts.__ (1) Every SubRegistrar on registering a nontestamentary document relating to immoveable property situate in more districts than one shall also forward a copy thereof and of the endorsement and certificate (if any) thereon, together with a copy of the map or plan (if any) mentioned in section 21, to the Registrar of every district in which any part of such property is situate other than the district in which his own sub district is situate.
(2) The Registrar on receiving the same shall file in his Book No.1 the copy of the document and the copy of the map or plan (if any), and shall forward a memorandum of the document to each of the SubRegistrar subordinate to him within whose subdistrict any part of such property is situate: and every Sub Registrar receiving such memorandum shall file it in his Book No. 1.
(D) Special Duties of Registrar
66. Procedure after registration of documents relating to land.__ (1) On registering any non testamentary document relating to immoveable property the Registrar shall forward a memorandum of such document to each SubRegistrar subordinate to himself in whose subdistrict any part of the property is situate.
(2) The Registrar shall also forward a copy of such document together with a copy of the map or plan (if any) mentioned in
section 21, to every other Registrar in whose district any part of such property is situate.
(3) Such Registrar on receiving any such copy shall file it in his Book No. 1, and shall also send a memorandum of the copy to each of the SubRegistrars subordinate to him within whose subdistrict any part of the property is situate.
(4) Every SubRegistrar receiving any memorandum under this section shall file it in his Book No.1.
67. Procedure after registration under section 30, subsection (2). On any document being registered under section 30, subsection (2), a copy of such document and of the endorsements and certificate thereon shall be forwarded to every Registrar within whose district any part of the property to which the instrument relates is situate, and the Registrar receiving such copy shall follow the procedure prescribed for him in section 66, subsection (1).
(E) Of the Controlling Powers of Registrars and InspectorsGeneral
68. Power of Registrar to superintend and control SubRegistrars.__ (1) Every SubRegistrar shall perform the duties of his office under the superintendence and control of the Registrar in whose district the office of such SubRegistrar is situate.
(2) Every Registrar shall have authority to issue (whether on complaint or otherwise) any order consistent with this Act which he considers necessary in respect of any act or omission of any Sub Registrar subordinate to him or in respect of the rectification of any error regarding the book or the office in which any document has been registered.
69. Power of InspectorGeneral to superintend registration officers and make rules.__ (1) The InspectorGeneral shall exercise a general superintendence over all the registration offices in the territories under the l[Provincial Government], and shall have power from time to time to make rules2 consistent with this Act—
(a) providing for the safe custody of books, papers and documents 3* * *;
(b) declaring what languages shall be deemed to be commonly used in each district;
1Subs. by A. O., 1937, for “L. G.”. 2For rules under this section, see the different local R. and O. 3The words “and also for the destruction of such books, papers and documents as need no longer be kept” omitted by the Destruction of Records Act, 1917 (5 of 1917), s. 6 and Sch.
(c) declaring what territorial divisions shall be recognized under section 21 ;
(d) regulating the amount of fines imposed under sections 25 and 34, respectively;
(e) regulating the exercise of the discretion reposed in the registering officer by section 63 ;
(f) regulating the form in which registering officers are to make memoranda of documents;
(g) regulating the authentication by Registrars and SubRegistrars of the books kept in their respective offices under section 51 ;
(h) declaring the particulars to be contained in Indexes Nos. I, II, III and IV, respectively;
(i) declaring the holidays that shall be observed in the registrationoffices ; and
(j) generally, regulating the proceedings of the Registrars and SubRegistrars.
(2) The rules so made shall be submitted to the l[Provincial Government] for approval, and, after they have been approved, they shall be published in the official Gazette, and on publication shall have effect as if enacted in this Act.
70. Power of InspectorGeneral to remit fines. The InspectorGeneral may also, in the exercise of his discretion, remit wholly or in part the difference between any fine levied under section 25 or section 34, and the amount of the proper registration fee.2
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3[PART XIA
OF THE COPYING OF DOCUMENTS BY MEANS OF PHOTOGRAPHY.
70A. Application of this Part. This Part shall apply to such areas only as are specified in a notification issued under section 70D.
70B. Definition. For the purposes of this Part “Photo Registrar”, means a photoRegistrar appointed under this Part.
1Subs. by A. O.,1937. for “L.G.”. 2 For Part XIA: Of the Copying of Documents by means of Photography, ins. for Bombay Presidency, see the Indian Registration (Bombay Amendment) Act, 1930 (17 of 1930), s. 3. The proviso to s. 70B of that Part was omitted by A. O., 1937. 3New Part XIA ins. by the Registration (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1962 (45 of 1962), s. 17.
70C. Appointment of PhotoRegistrars. The Provincial Government may appoint a Registrar or SubRegistrar or any other person to be a PhotoRegistrar for the performance of duties under this Part :
Provided that the Provincial Government may, subject to such restrictions and conditions as it thinks fit, delegate the power of appointing PhotoRegistrars to the InspectorGeneral of Registration.
70D. Documents may be photographed in areas notified by Government.__ (1) The provincial Government may, by notification in the official Gazatte, direct that in any district or sub district specified in the notification copies of documents admitted to registration under this Act shall be made by means of Photography.
(2) On the issue of such notification it shall be translated into 1 * * * Urdu, 1* * * and shall be posted in a conspicuous place at the registration offices affected by the notification.
70E. Application of Act to areas notified under section 70D. In any district or subdistrict in respect of which a notification has been issued under section 70D, the provisions of this Act shall, for the purposes of this Part, be subject to the following modifications, namely :___
(1) (a) Every document admitted to registration under section 35 or section 41 shall on every page___
(i) be signed in the presence of the registering officer by the person or anyone of the persons presenting the document for registration; and
(ii) be carefully marked with an identification stamp and the serial number of the document.
(b) it shall then be transmitted by the registering officer, unless he is himself the Photo Registrar, to the PhotoRegistrar, and the registering officer or the PhotoRegistrar, as the case may be, shall cause each side of each page of such document together with all stamps, endorsements, seals, signatures, thumbimpressions and certificates appearing thereon to be photographed without subtraction or alteration. He may for this purpose cut or untie, without breaking any seals, the thread or ribbon, if any, wherewith the pages of the document are sewn together, in order to separate the
1 The words “Bengali in the case of the Province of East Pakistan, and in” and “in the case of the Province of West Pakistan,” omitted by F.A.O. 1975, Art. 2 ,and Sch.
pages of the document, and, as Soon as the document has been photographed, he shall, as far as practicable, exactly rebind the document as before, and, if he has cut the thread or ribbon shall seal it over the joint with his seal:
Provided that the party presenting the document for registration shall, if he so desires, be allowed to be present and watch the unbinding, rebinding and sealing of the document:
Provided further that if the party presenting the document so requests the document shall be returned to him unbound:
Provided also that before or after transmission of the document to the PhotoRegistrar the party presenting the document may require the registering officer to have it copied by hand under section 52, or if the document has been presented for registration under section 19 its translation copied under section 62 on payment of an additional copying fee.
(c) There shall then be prepared and preserved the negative and at least one Photographic print and to each such negative and print the PhotoRegistrar shall fix his signature and seal in token of the exact correspondence of the copy to the original document, as admit ted for registration:
Provided that when more than one such negative is recorded on one length of film and the Photo Registrar has affixed his signature and seal at the end of such length of film certifying in the manner prescribed by rules made in this behalf, the exact correspondence of all copies on such length of film with the original documents, the PhotoRegistrar shall be deemed to have affixed his signature and seal to each such negative on such length of film.
(d) One set of such prints arranged in the order of their serial numbers shall be made up into books and sewnor bound together. To each such book the Registrar or subRegistrar shall prefix a certificate of the serial numbers it contains, and the books shall then be preserved in the records of the SubRegistrar. The negatives shall be preserved in
such suitable place as the InspectorGeneral may prescribe.
(2) All words and expressions used in the Act with reference to the making of copies of documents by hand or the entering or filing of documents or memoranda in books provided under section 16 shall, so far as may be necessary, be construed as referring to the making of such copies by means of photography or the entering or filing of documents or memoranda in books made up of copies prepared by means of photography.
(3) Where this Part applies the sections mentioned below shall be deemed to be modified as follows :___
(a) in section 19 the words “and also by a true copy” shall be omitted;
(b) subsection (4) of section 21 shall be omitted;
(c) the words “according to the order of its admission” occurring in clause(c) of subsection(l) of section 52 shall be omitted;
(d) section 53 shall be omitted;
(e) in subsection (1) of section 60 the words “and page” shall be omitted;
(f) subsection (1) of section 61 shall be omitted; and
(g) in subsection (1) of section 62,__
(i) for the word “transcribed” the word “copied” shall be substituted; and
(ii) for the words and figures “copy referred to in section 19” the words “photograph of the original” shall be substituted.
70F. The InspectorGeneral may, with the previous approval of the Provincial Government, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules for the purposes of giving effect to the provisions of this Part.]
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PART XII
OF REFUSAL TO REGISTER
71. Reasons for refusal to register to be recorded.__ (1) Every SubRegistrar refusing to register a document, except on the ground that the property to which it relates is not
situate within his subdistrict, shall make an order of refusal and record his reasons for such order in his Book No.2, and endorse the words “registration refused” on the document; and, on application made by any person executing or claiming under the document, shall, without payment and unnecessary delay, give him a copy of the reasons so recorded.
(2) No registering officer shall accept for registration a document so endorsed unless and until, under the provisions here in after contained, the document is directed to be registered.
72. Appeal to Registrar from orders of SubRegistrar refusing registration on ground other than denial of execution.__ (1) Except where the refusal is made on the ground of denial of execution, an appeal shall lie against an order of a SubRegistrar refusing to admit a document to registration (whether the registration of such document is compulsory or optional) to the Registrar to whom such SubRegistrar is subordinate, if presented to such Registrar within thirty days from the date of the order; and the Registrar may reverse or alter such order.
(2) If the order of the Registrar directs the document to be registered and the document is duly presented for registration within thirty days after the making of such order, the SubRegistrar shall obey the same, and thereupon shall, so far as may be practicable, follow the procedure prescribed in sections 58, 59 and 60; and such registration shall take effect as if the document had been registered when it was first duly presented for registration.
73. Application to Registrar where SubRegistrar refuses to register on ground of denial of execution.__ (1) When a subRegistrar has refused, to register a document on the ground that any person by whom it purports to be executed, or his representative or assign, denies its execution any person claiming under such document, or his representative, assign or agent authorized as aforesaid, may, within thirty days after the making of the order of refusal, apply to the Registrar to whom such Sub Registrar is subordinate in order to establish his right to have the document registered.
(2) Such application shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by a copy of the reasons recorded under section 71, and the statements in the application shall be verified by the applicant in manner required by law for the verification of plaints.
74. Procedure of Registrar on such application. In such case, and also where such denial as aforesaid is made before a Registrar in respect of a document presented for registration to him, the Registrar shall, as soon as conveniently may be, enquire—
(a) whether the document has been executed;
(b) whether the requirements of the law for the time being in force have been complied with on the part of the applicant or person presenting the document for registration, as the case may be, so as to entitle the document to registration.
75. Order by Registrar to register and procedure thereon.__ (1) If the Registrar finds that the document had been executed and that the said requirements have been complied with, he shall order the document to be registered.
(2) If the document is duly presented for registration within thirty days after the making of such order, the registering officer shall obey the same and thereupon shall, so far as may be practicable, follow the procedure prescribed in sections 58, 59 and 60.
(3) Such registration shall take effect as if the document had been registered when it was first duly presented for registration.
(4) The Registrar may, for the purpose of any enquiry under section 74, summon and enforce the attendance of witnesses, and compel them to give evidence, as if he were a Civil Court, and he may also direct by whom the whole or any part of the costs of any such enquiry shall be paid, and such costs shall be recoverable as if they had been awarded in a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908).
76. Order of refusal by Registrar.__ (1) Every Registrar refusing—
(a) to register a document except on the ground that the property to which it relates is not situate within his district or that the document ought to be registered in the office of a SubRegistrar, or
(b) to direct the registration of a document under section 72 or section 75,
shall make an order of refusal and record the reasons for such order in his Book No.2, and, on application made by any person executing or claiming under the document, shall, without un necessary delay, give him a copy of the reasons so recorded.
(2) No appeal lies from any order by a Registrar under this section or section 72.
77. Suit in case of order of refusal by Registrar.__ (1) Where the Registrar refuses to order the document to be registered, under section 72 or section 76, any person claiming under such document, or his representative, assign or agent, may, within thirty days after the making of the order of refusal, institute in the Civil Court, within the local limits of whose original jurisdiction is situate the office in which the document is sought to be registered, a suit for a decree directing the document to be registered in such office if it be duly presented for registration within thirty days after the passing of such decree [:]1
2[Provided that failure to file a suit or the dismissal of a suit filed under this section shall not disentitle a party to any other remedy to which he may be entitled, on the basis of the unregistered document.]
(2) The provisions contained in subsections (2) and (3) of section 75 shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to all documents presented for registration in accordance with any such decree, and, notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the document shall be receivable in evidence in such suit.
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PART XIII
OF THE FEES FOR REGISTRATION, SEARCHES AND COPIES
78. Fees to be fixed by Provincial Government. 3* * * The 4[Provincial Government] shall prepare a 5table of fees payable—
(a) for the registration of document; 6[not exceeding one percent of the value of property conveyed”]
(b) for searching the registers;
(c) for making or granting copies of reasons, entries or documents, before, on or after registration;
and of extra or additional fees payable—
(d) for every registration under section 30;
1Subs. by the Registration (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1962 (45 of 1962), s. 18, for fullstop. 2 Proviso added ibid. 3 The words “Subject to the control of the G.G in C.” omitted by the Devolution Act, 1920 (38 of 1920), s. 2 and First Sch. 4 Subs. by A. O., 1937, for “L. G.”. 5 For table of fees issued by the Provincial Governments, see local R. and O. 6 Added by Act 4 of 1999, s. 28.
(e) for the issue of commissions;
(f) for filing translations;
(g) for attending at private residences;
(h) for the safe custody and return of documents; and
(i) for such other matters as appear to the l[Provincial Government] necessary to effect
the purposes of this Act [:]2
2[Provided that the Federal Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, exempt from payment of fees, either in whole or in part, any instrument executed by or in favour of a banking company in the normal course of its banking business.
Explanation. For the purpose of this section, “banking company” shall have the same meaning as in the Banking Tribunals Ordinance, 1984.]
79. Publication of fees. A table of the fees so payable shall be published in the official Gazette, and a copy thereof in English and the vernacular language of the district shall be exposed to public view in every registration office.
80. Fees payable on presentation. All fees for the registration of documents under this Act shall be payable on the presentation of such documents.
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PART XIV
OF PENALTIES
81. Penalty for incorrectly endorsing, copying, translating or registering documents with intent to injure. Every registering officer appointed under this Act and every person employed in his office for the purposes of this Act, who, being charged with the endorsing, copying translating or registering of any document presented or deposited under its provisions, endorses, copies, translates or registers such document in a manner which he knows or believes to be incorrect, intending thereby to cause or knowing it to be likely that he may thereby cause, injury, as defined in the Pakistan Penal Code (XLV of 1860), to any person, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine, or with both.
82. Penalty for making false statements, delivering false copies or transaction, false personation, and abetment. Whoever—
(a) intentionally makes any false statement, whether on oath or not, and whether it has been recorded or not, before any officer acting in execution of this Act, in any proceeding or enquiry under this Act; or
1Subs. by A. O.,1937, for “L. G”. 2Subs. and added by the Financial Services (Amdt. of Laws) Ordinance, 1984 (57 of 1984), s. 2 and Sch.
(b) intentionally delivers to a registering officer, in any proceeding under section 19 or section 21, a false copy or translation of a document or a false copy of a map or plan; or
(c) falsely personates another, and in such assumed character presents any document, or makes any admission or statement, or causes any summons or commission to be issued, or does any other act in any proceeding or enquiry under this Act; or
(d) abets anything made punishable by this Act;
shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, or with fine or with both.
83. Registering officer may commence prosecutions.__ (1) A prosecution for any offence under this Act coming to the knowledge of a registering officer in his official capacity may be commenced by or with the permission of the InspectorGeneral, 1* * * the Registrar or the SubRegistrar, in whose territories, district or subdistrict, as the case may be, the offence has been committed.
(2) Offences punishable under this Act shall be triable by any Court or officer exercising powers not less than those of a Magistrate of the second class.
84. Registering officers to be deemed public servants. (1) Every registering officer appointed under this Act shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of the Pakistan Penal Code (XLV of 1860).
(2) Every person shall be legally bound to furnish information to such registering officer when required by him to do so.
(3) In section 228 of the Pakistan Penal Code (XLV of 1860), the words “judicial proceeding” shall be deemed to include any proceeding under this Act.
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PART XV
MISCELLANEOUS
85. Destruction of unclaimed documents. Documents (other than wills) remaining unclaimed in any registration office for a period exceeding two years may be destroyed.
86. Registering officer not liable for thing bona fide done or refused in his official capacity. No registering, officer shall be liable to any suit claim or demand by reason of anything in good faith done or refused in his official capacity.
1The words “the Branch Inspector General of Sindh” omitted by A.O., 1937.
87. Nothing so done in validated by defect in appointment or procedure.__1[(1)] Nothing done in good faith pursuant to this Act or any Act hereby repealed, by any registering officer, shall be deemed invalid merely by reason of any defect in his appointment or procedure.
2[(2) Any defect in or the want of authority of a person to present a document shall not by itself, render invalid the registration of the document or the transaction effected by it.]
88. Registration of documents executed by Government officers or certain public functionaries.__ (1) Notwithstanding anything herein contained, it shall not be necessary for any officer of Government, 3* * * or for any Official Trustee or Official Assignee, or for the 4*, Receiver or Registrar of a High Court, to appear in person or by agent at any registration office in any proceeding connected with the registration of any instrument executed by him in his official capacity, or to sign as provided in section 58.
(2) Where any instrument is so executed, the registering officer to whom such instrument is presented for registration may, if he thinks fit, refer to any Secretary to Government or to such officer of Government, AdministratorGeneral, Official Trustee, Official Assignee, 4*, Receiver or Registrar, as the case may be, for information respecting the same, and, on being satisfied of the execution thereof, shall register the instrument.
89. Copies of certain orders, certificates and instruments to be sent to registering officers and filed.__ (1) Every officer granting a loan under the Land Improvement Loans Act, 1883 (XIX of 1883), shall send a copy of his order to the registering officer within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the whole or any part of the land to be improved or of the land to be granted as collateral security, is situate, and such registering officer shall file the copy in his Book No. 1.
(2) Every Court granting a certificate of sale of immoveable property under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), shall send a copy of such certificate to the registering officer within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the whole or any part of the immoveable property comprised in such certificate is situate, and such officer shall file the copy in his Book No.1.
(3) 5[Every officer and every Cooperative Society granting
1 Renumbered by the Registration (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1962 (45 of 1962), s. 19. 2 Subsection (2) added ibid. 3 The words "or for the AdministratorGeneral of East Pakistan" omitted by Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration). Ordinance 1981, s. 3 and Second Sch. which was amended by A. O., 1949 and A. O., 1961, Art. 2 and Sch. 4 The word “Sheriff” omitted, by A. O., 1949. 5 Subs. by the Registration Act (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1961 (32 of 1961) s. 4. for “Every officer granting a loan under the Agriculturists, Loans Act, 1884.”
any such loan as is referred to in clause (x) of subsection (2) of section 17] shall send a copy of any instrument whereby immoveable property is mortgaged for the purpose of securing the repay ment of the loan, and if any such property is mortgaged for the same purpose in the order granting the loan, a copy also of that order, to the registering officer within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the whole or any part of the property so mortgaged is situate, and such registering officer shall file the copy or copies, as the case may be, in his Book No. 1.
(4) Every Revenueofficer granting a certificate of sale to the purchaser of immoveable property sold by public auction shall send a copy of the certificate to the registering officer within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the whole or any part of the property comprised in the certificate is situate, and such officer shall file the copy in his Book No. 1.
Exemptions from Act
90. Exemption of certain documents executed by or in favour of Government.__ (1) Nothing contained in this Act or in the Indian Registration Act, 1877 (III of 1877), or in the Indian Registration Act, 1871 (VIII of 1871), or in any Act thereby repealed, shall be deemed to require, or to have at any time required, the registration of any of the following documents or maps, namely :
(a) documents issued, received or attested by any officer engaged in making a settlement or revision of settlement of landrevenue, and which form part of the records of such settlement; or
(b) documents and maps issued, received or authenticated by any officer engaged on behalf of Government in making or revising the survey of any land, and which form part of the record of such survey; or
(c) documents which, under any law for the time being in force, are filed periodically in any revenueoffice by patwaris or other officers charged with the preparation of village records ; or
(d) sanads, inam titledeeds and other documents purporting to be or to evidence grants or assignments by Government of land or of any interest in land; or
(e) notices given under section 74 or section 76 of the l[Sind Land Revenue Code, 1879 (Sind Act V of 1879], of relinquishment of occupancy by occupants, or of alienated land by holders of such land.
(2) All such documents and maps shall, for the purposes of
1Subs. by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3 and Second Sch., for “Bombay Land Revenue Code, 1879”.
sections 48 and 49, be deemed to have been and to be registered in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
91. Inspection and copies of such documents. Subject to such rules and the previous payment of such fees as the 1[Provincial Government] prescribes in this behalf, all documents and maps mentioned in section 90, clauses (a), (b), (c) and (e), and all registers of the documents mentioned in clause (d), shall be open to the inspection of any person applying to inspect the same, and, subject as aforesaid, copies of such documents shall be given to all persons applying for such copies.
92. [Burmese registration rules confirmed.] Rep. by A. O., 1937.
93. [Repeals.] Rep. by the Repealing Act, 1938 (I of 1938). s. 2 and Schedule.
THE SCHEDULE.—[REPEAL OF ENACTMENTS.] Rep. by the Repealing Act, 1938 (I of 1938), s. 2 and Schedule.
_________________
1Subs. by A. O., 1937, for “L. G.”.
