The recent crackdown on the residence of District Sub-Registrar,  Mr K Borappa, in Bangalore throws the spotlight on the Registration department, already notorious all over the country for its corruption.

Mr Borappa has been accused of amassing wealth and property illegally by abusing his position in the registration department.  The Lokayukta raided his residences and recovered documents of 20 prime properties in the city, along with Rs. 2.59-crore in cash.

They also recovered bundles of currency stashed up in polythene covers and gunny bags, not only from his properties but also that of his accomplices. He owns more than 16 immovable properties, along with gold worth Rs 6 lakhs.

The scam was busted when Hadadi (Davangere district) police were tipped off about cash transactions in the sub-registrar’s farmhouse.

The accused has been absconding ever since the Lokayukta began a crackdown on his illegal assets.

Cases of corruption against sub registrars have been on the rise in the recent past. In an April 2012 expose, a woman sub-registrar was caught redhanded for demanding a bribe from a prospective property buyer in Bangalore recently. The citizen conducted the traditional sting operation indulged in by journalists and recorded the conversation on video. This helped in the launch of an enquiry in to the matter.

An analysis of bribe reports on our portal from 18,000 respondents reveals the registration department to be the most corrupt one – standing head and shoulders above the rest. A whopping Rs 6,29,23,320 is the bribe amount paid to officials at various levels of the department.

A department insider reveals that land and flats would cost 15% cheaper if one didn’t have to grease the palms of officials manning the registration offices.

One must shell out money, whether it is to get their khata or to register the land or property. Sub registrars make hay during the registration process.

Real estate insiders predicted the escalation in property prices by 12%. It only makes one wonder if the future generation will ever be able to afford a flat or property.

The ambitious `Sakala’ or the Guarantee of Services to Citizens Act scheme launched  by Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr Sadananda Gowda, aims to put an end to corruption in connection with khata certificates. 

By Juwairia Mekhri