Now, widows in Bihar need SDM’s nod to sell property

SASARAM: Now, widows in Bihar, irrespective of caste creed and religion will have to take the approval of the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) before selling out their property.

The SDM will have to certify that the widow is not selling her property under any duress and the petition concerning this must be disposed off within three days of submitting the application.

Talking to this newspaper, DIG, state prohibition, excise and registration department Ayaz Ahamad Khan said, “The new system has been implemented in the light of recommendations of a committee formed by the Supreme Court. Directives have been issued to all district registrar-cum-district magistrates and registering officer in the state.”

Sasaram SDM Raj Kumar Gupta confirmed that he had already received a directive in this regard. According to sources, the apex court while hearing a PIL in August 2014 had formed a six-member committee to prepare an action plan to protect the rights of widows in the country. The committee submitted its report on August 11 last year, which recommended mandatory no-objection certificate from the SDM concerned for transfer of widow’s property.

The SDM concerned has also been asked to give NOC to the widow in a prescribed format. At least three release deeds were rejected by the local registry office in Sasaram recently as the sellers who were widows had not procured the required NOC from the SDM.