The Registration Act, 1908: Critical Analysis of the 1908 Act

Abstract

This research paper deals with the following constellation of issues: the purpose, scope and the legislative intent behind the Registration Act, 1908; the legislative scheme/philosophy behind Sections 17, 18 and 49 of the Registration Act, 1908; the test of compulsory registration; the difference between judicial and non-judicial stamp-papers; expiry date as to non-judicial stamp-papers; the Doctrine of Res Nullius and meaning of the terms- document, instrument, movable property and immovable property as regards to the Registration Act, 1908.This research paper will enable the reader to answer and understand the intricacies involved behind the registration of: Gift Deed; Compromise Decree; Adoption Deed; Arbitral Award; Family Arrangement; Mortgage Deed; Sale Deed; Agreement of Sale; Kabuliyat and Lease Deed.This research paper critically analyses the following case-laws:1. Suraj Lamps & Industries Pvt. Ltd. v. State of Haryana, AIR 2012 SC 2062. Asha M. Jain v. Canara Bank, 94 (2001) DLT 8413. Hansia v. Bakhtawarmal, AIR 1958 Raj 1024. Tek Bahadur Bhujil v. Debi Singh Bhujil, AIR 1966 SC 2925. Ghulam Ahmad v. Ghulam Qadir, AIR 1968 J. & K. 356. Ram Sewak Jaiswal v. Abdul Majeed, AIR 1980 All. 2627. Naran Das Karsan Das v. S.A. Kamtam, AIR 1977 SC 7748. Rambhau Namdeo Gajre v. Narayan Bapuji Dhotra, AIR 2004 SC 43429. State of Rajasthan v. Basant Nahata, (2005) 12 SCC 7710. Bina Murlidhar Hemdev v. Kanhaiyalal Lokram Hemdev, AIR 1999 SC 217111. K. Raghunandan & Ors v. Ali Hussain Sabir & Ors, AIR 2008 SC 233712. Bhoop Singh v. Ram Singh Major, AIR 1996 SC 19613. S.M.S. Tea Estates Pvt. Ltd. v. Chandmari Tea Co. Pvt. Ltd., 2011 All SCR 172214. K.B. Saha & Sons Pvt. Ltd. v. Development Consultant Ltd., (2008) 8 SCC 56415. S. Kaladevi v. V.R. Somasundaram, AIR 2010 SC 165416. Bajaj Auto Ltd. v. Behari Lal Kohli, AIR 1989 SC 180617. State of U.P. v. District Judge & Ors, (1997) 1 SCC 49618. Meghmala v. G. Narasimha Reddy & Ors, (2010) 8 SCC 38319. M/s. Jiwan Industries (P) Ltd. v. Smt. Kamlesh Rani Budhiraja, 208 (2014) DLT 58920. Thiruvengada Pillai v. Navaneethammal & Anr, AIR 2008 SC 154121. Dinaji v. Daddi, AIR 1990 SC 1153