Sub-Registrar is Not Liable for the Entries Made in Encumbrance Certificate** **Case Number:** W.A.No.2305 of 2022 **Parties:** K. Prabakar (Appellant) vs. The Secretary, Home (SC) Department, Secretariat, Chennai – 600 009 (Respondent) **Counsel for Appellant:** Mr. A. Kalaivanan **Counsel for Respondent:** Mr. K. Suresh, Government Advocate **Date of Order:** 28.10.2025 **Judges:** The Honourable Mr. Justice M.S. Ramesh and The Honourable Mr. Justice R. Sakthivel

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[09/11, 13:41] Sekarreporter: [09/11, 13:40] Sekarreporter: **Head Note**

**Sub-Registrar is Not Liable for the Entries Made in Encumbrance Certificate**

**Case Number:** W.A.No.2305 of 2022
**Parties:** K. Prabakar (Appellant) vs. The Secretary, Home (SC) Department, Secretariat, Chennai – 600 009 (Respondent)
**Counsel for Appellant:** Mr. A. Kalaivanan
**Counsel for Respondent:** Mr. K. Suresh, Government Advocate
**Date of Order:** 28.10.2025
**Judges:** The Honourable Mr. Justice M.S. Ramesh and The Honourable Mr. Justice R. Sakthivel

**Observation of the Court:**
The High Court of Madras quashed the order passed in W.P.No.10103 of 2014 dated 16.06.2022 and Government Order G.O.(2D) No.255, Home (SC) Department, dated 02.07.2013, which imposed a punishment of censure on the appellant. The court held that the responsibility of verifying encumbrance certificates does not fall under the duties of a Sub-Registrar, as per the Registration Rules and Standing Orders. The court also noted that co-delinquents facing similar charges were exonerated, and imposing punishment solely on the appellant amounted to hostile discrimination, which is impermissible in law. The Writ Appeal was allowed, and the connected miscellaneous petition was closed.
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