Fri Dec 13 20:34:16 UTC 2024: ## Karnataka High Court to Hear Challenge to Mandatory E-Khata for Property Registration
**Bengaluru, December 14, 2024** – The Karnataka High Court has directed the state government and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to respond to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the mandatory requirement of an e-khata (electronic property record) for property registration.
The PIL, filed by Bengaluru resident Gowrishankar S., argues that the mandate is causing significant economic hardship as the BBMP has not yet issued e-khatas for the majority of properties in the city. The petitioner claims that property transactions have decreased by 60% due to this requirement.
The petitioner contends that making e-khata mandatory before allowing property registration is unfair when many property owners, despite possessing physical khatas, are burdened with obtaining e-khatas through the BBMP portal. He suggests that the government should permit registration with self-declarations in the absence of e-khatas, especially in cases where draft e-khatas are pending or applications are awaiting processing.
A division bench, comprising Chief Justice N.V. Anjaria and Justice K.V. Aravind, instructed the government and BBMP to file their responses without requiring a formal notice. The court will subsequently consider the arguments presented in the PIL.
First Piper 