Property Deed Privacy Boost: Aadhaar Numbers and Thumbprints to Stay Confidential in Maharashtra
Pune, 18th February 2024: The Department of Registration & Stamps has taken a significant step to safeguard the privacy of citizens by deciding to keep Aadhaar numbers and thumbprints confidential in property deeds, even for those dated before July 2023.
A computer system, in collaboration with the National Information Center (NIC), is being developed to implement this measure. Starting July 2023, only the photos and signatures of the parties involved will be visible on the abstract part 2 of the deeds available through e-search.
This confidentiality initiative, which began in July 2023, is now being extended to deeds dated before that month. The Department of Registration & Stamps is working with the NIC to develop a computer system to ensure the protection of sensitive information. This new feature is expected to be available for public use within the next month.
The Department of Registration & Stamps has emphasized the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of citizens’ information in tenancy agreements and purchase-sale deeds. The public can download copies of lease agreements or property deeds, such as flats, shops, and land, from the registration department’s website, with a fee associated with the service. Previously, Aadhaar numbers and thumb impressions were visible in the e-search copies of these documents.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) had directed the Department of Registration & Stamps to secure fingerprints to prevent fraud in property transactions. Following this directive, the department initiated the implementation of enhanced privacy measures throughout Maharashtra from July 6, 2023.
In the next phase, the initiative will cover deeds from 1985 in Mumbai city and deeds from 1998 onwards in the rest of Maharashtra. After downloading deeds from e-search, Aadhaar numbers and thumbprints on these documents will remain confidential, contributing to preventing malpractices in land transactions and ensuring the confidentiality of personal information.
