Pune: The state govt has tightened rules for sale of shares in jointly owned land recorded under a common 7/12 (satbara) extract. To curb fraud and disputes in property transactions, the new rules make an official land measurement copy, called a ‘Form C’, or written consent from all other co-owners mandatory for property registration.Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule took the decision on the instructions of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Under the new rules, if the seller attaches the official land measurement copy issued by the land records department to the sale deed, the sub-registrar can register the transaction without seeking consent letters or no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the other co-owners. However, if this copy is unavailable, written consent from all other co-owners named on the joint 7/12 extract must be submitted, the directive stated.Revenue officials said disputes frequently arose when one co-owner sold a share of jointly owned land without informing the others or obtaining their consent. Such transactions often led to serious disputes among family members and other co-owners, increasing the number of petitions filed before revenue offices and courts.Bawankule said the new rules would bring transparency to property transactions, prevent fraud against ordinary citizens, and help reduce the burden on courts.“Many families and ordinary citizens were getting caught in court cases and disputes because transactions involving jointly owned land were carried out without informing the other co-owners. The new rules will bring transparency to transactions, stop fraud against ordinary citizens, and help reduce the burden on courts,” he said.Joint district registrar Rajendra Muthe added that the new rules would make the registration process more transparent and eliminate ambiguity in transactions involving jointly owned land. “The entire process is designed to enhance transparency and avoid any ambiguity,” he said.According to a revenue department circular, sub-registrars must follow two specific procedures while registering such transactions:• If the copy is available: The seller must attach the official land measurement document issued by the land records department to the sale deed. The transaction can then be registered without consent letters or NOCs from the other co-owners.• If the copy is unavailable: The sale deed cannot be registered unless written consent letters from all other co-owners named on the joint 7/12 extract are attached.
