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Section 68: Power of Registrar to superintend and control Sub-Registrars

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Act 1908
Section 67 All 93 Sections of Registration Act Section 69

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 68

Section 68 vests the Registrar with general administrative superintendence and control over all Sub-Registrars in his district, empowering him to issue administrative orders consistent with the Act.

  • Administrative Superintendence: Every Sub-Registrar shall perform the duties of his office under the superintendence and control of the Registrar in whose district the office is situated.
  • Power to Issue Directions: Registrar may issue any order consistent with this Act which he considers necessary in respect of the conduct of Sub-Registrars or rectification of registry errors.
  • Bar on Cancelling Registered Deeds: Superintendence under Section 68 is administrative; it does not confer quasi-judicial power upon the Registrar to cancel or annul a completed registration.
Key Landmark Precedents:
  • Satya Pal Anand v. State of M.P., (2016) 10 SCC 767: The Supreme Court authoritatively settled that the Registrar's power of superintendence under Section 68 is purely administrative in nature; it does not empower the Registrar to cancel a registered deed or annul completed transactions, which falls exclusively within the domain of the civil courts.
  • Asset Reconstruction Co. (India) Ltd. v. S.P. Velayutham, (2022) 8 SCC 210: Reaffirmed that Section 68 cannot be invoked to bypass civil suits for cancellation of void or fraudulent conveyances.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

Do not file an application before the District Registrar under Section 68 seeking cancellation of a registered fraudulent sale deed; file a civil suit for cancellation and declaration under Section 31/34 of the Specific Relief Act in civil court.

Section 67 All 93 Sections of Registration Act Section 69