Aadhaar, thumb impression to be confidential in property agreementsÂ
Aadhaar, thumb impression to be confidential in property agreements
The decision by the Department of Registration & Stamps to maintain the confidentiality of Aadhaar numbers and thumbprints in property deeds, even for those dated prior to July 2023, is a significant step toward protecting citizens’ privacy.
In partnership with the National Information Center (NIC), a computer system is being developed to put this measure into action.
As of July 2023, the abstract part 2 of the deeds that are accessible through e-search will only display the signatures and pictures of the parties involved.
Commencing in July 2023, this initiative to maintain confidentiality is now being extended to deeds dated prior to that month. The NIC and the Department of Registration & Stamps are collaborating to create a computer system that will guarantee the security of private data. It is anticipated that the public will be able to utilize this new feature within the next month.
Tenancy agreements and purchase-sale deeds containing citizen information must protect the privacy of that information, according to the Department of Registration & Stamps. On the registration department’s website, copies of leases and property deeds—including those for buildings, shops, and land—can be downloaded by the general public; however, there is a charge for this service. Previously, thumb impressions and Aadhaar numbers could be seen in the electronic search copies of these records.
To stop fraud in real estate transactions, the Department of Registration & Stamps was instructed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to obtain fingerprints. In accordance with this directive, on July 6, 2023, the department began implementing improved privacy measures across Maharashtra.
The initiative will encompass deeds from 1985 in Mumbai city and deeds from 1998 onwards in the remaining parts of Maharashtra in its subsequent phase. Aadhaar numbers and thumbprints on deeds downloaded from e-search will remain private after download, helping to stop fraudulent land transactions and guaranteeing the privacy of personal data.
