BAGALKOT: A sub-registrar cannot act mechanically like a “postman’ while registering documents, the high court observed while rejecting a plea filed by Bhuvaneshwar, a sub-registrar of Jamakhandi in Bagalkot, in connection with a cheating case.
The sub-registrar, who is accused no. 6 in the case pending before a court in Jamakhandi, had sought for quashing of proceedings against him. The case was registered against him on February 25, 2020, based on a complaint by Chidanand Ajjappa Mali, who alleged his cousin sold his share of property using forged papers and the same was registered by Bhuvaneshwar without verifying facts.
Bhuvaneshwar contended it is not part of his duty to inquire into validity of documents. However, Justice P Krishna Bhat said a public servant cannot afford to bypass or turn a Nelson’s eye to such issues.