(1) Subject to the previous payment of the fees payable in that behalf, the Book 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 relate, or to his agent or representative.
(4) The requisite search under this section for entries in Book Nos. 3 and 4 shall be made only by the registering officer.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 57
Section 57 grants the public an absolute statutory right to inspect Book 1 and Indexes I and II, and obtain certified copies of registered non-testamentary documents relating to immoveable property upon payment of prescribed fees.
Obtain certified copies under Section 57 directly from the Sub-Registrar when original title deeds are withheld by a disputed co-owner; certified copies carry full statutory evidentiary weight in partition and title suits.