In a major relief to several Franco-Indians whose land was grabbed by unknown persons, the authorities have asked them to come forward to lodge complaint either with the Registration Department or the Police Department without any hesitation.
Several Franco Indians attended the meeting which was organised by Association Des Francais Originaitares De L’Inde (AFOI) together with the Mutual Military Pensioners and their widows at the conference hall of Nallam Clinic on a theme of “spoliation”.
Explaining the objective of the meeting, Alvandane Ramakrishenane, president of AFOI said Franco-Indians have been largely affected since 1998 due to land grabbing. Mr. Ramakrishenane said, “We are not seeking any favour or special treatment to us. We expect the authorities to protect our land and properties as per the law of land.”
The Puducherry Government recently had directed its District Registrars to cancel fraudulent registrations after conducting enquiry themselves rather than asking the aggrieved persons to approach civil court for remedies.
Circular
At the meeting, the contents of a recent circular of the Secretary of Revenue and Inspector General of Registration, V. Candavelou to all registrars was explained to the participants.
The circular stated: “Advising the innocent petitioner to approach civil court for remedy without exercising the inherent powers available with registering officers would only add to the mental agony of the already distressed land owners.
Any person involved in the registering of documents through impersonation or production of false documents and evidence is liable to be punished under Section 82 and 83 of the Registration Act, 1908.”
District Registrar A.Sakthivel outlined the contents of the recent circular of Inspector General of Registration, Puducherry. The circular was issued following a judgement of Madras High Court which empowers the District Registrar to annul registration which was done in a fraudulent manner by judicious investigation and careful scrutiny of such false documents registered.
He said the provisions of Registration Act empowers the registrars to annul the documents which were fraudulently registered without asking the aggrieved persons to approach civil court.
After the issuance of the circular, the District Registrar said he received numerous complaints from aggrieved parties to reach a successful outcome in their affairs of spoliation. After scrutiny, the department cancelled five registrations that were done in a fraudulent manner.
He added that the land deeds registered in 1910 are in a deplorable condition and almost unreadable. The pages are torn and difficult to handle. The owners of old documents were advised not to entrust them inadvertently to others.
He said the Consul General of France Philippe Janvier Kamiyama recently visited the centre where old documents written in French are being preserved. He promised to do everything to translate into English with support of French Institute of Pondicherry.
Role of police
Explaining the role of police, Superintendent of Police N. Ravikumar advised the Franco-Indians to come forward to lodge complain if they found that their properties were grabbed or encroached by unscrupulous elements.
“When there is wrong, don’t afraid and come forward to lodge a complaint with police. The authorities like police are ready to help you to get your grievance redressed,” said Mr. Ravikumar.
The Superintendent of Police advised them not to entrust their properties through blanket power of attorney to third party. He added that such of power of attorney gives to third party to alienate the property without the knowledge and concurrence of the original owner.
Mr. Ravikumar also advised the prospective buyers to check thoroughly before buying a property. He also said they should go in person and do background checks with in the neighbourhood of the property.
