Karnataka High Court censures sub-registrars for not honouring binding decrees of courts citing procedural formalities

Taking serious note of sub-registrars refusing to update records despite binding court orders in two cases, the High Court of Karnataka (HCK) reminded registration authorities that they cannot sit in appeal over judicial decisions or demand separate directions addressed to them when litigants produce certified copies of duly passed court decrees, and cautioned that such conduct amounts to defiance of law and binding judicial mandates.

“The function of the sub-registrar in such circumstances is purely ministerial. The registering authority cannot sit in appeal over the decree of a competent court nor can it insist upon procedural formalities which effectively render the decree nugatory,” the HCK observed.