Sub-registrar suspended for fort sale

MUMBAI: The Alibaug sub-registrar has been suspended in connection with the recent agreement of sale of a 16th century sea fort in Konkan region with a private company, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane said on Friday.
    
The agreement was signed between some villagers of Thal gram panchayat in Raigad district, where Underi fort was located for a consideration of Rs 2 crore and a stamp duty of Rs 12 lakh was also paid.

 

At a press conference, Rane said "the villagers did not have the title rights over the fort, only nistar rights (rights of passage) for the last several years for drying and storing fish."
    
The property was recorded as a non-agricultural one by the then talathi (revenue official) of the area in 1975 although he did not have authority to do so, Rane said.

 

If the talathi is still serving, we will initiate action against him too, he added.
    
The sub-registrar Hargude recently registered the sale deed despite the fact that the villagers had no title rights, Rane said. "I have ordered his suspension," he said.