The decision of Telangana government led by chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to make it mandatory for the people to get their property registrations only through Dharani portal received a shock from the state high court.
On Thursday, Telangana high court questioned the propriety of the state government in seeking the Aadhar and caste details for registration of non-agriculture properties.
A two judge-bench comprising chief justice Raghavendra Singh Chowhan and justice B Vijaya Sen Reddy directed the state government to delete aadhaar card and caste details in the manuals for slot booking on Dharani portal.
Senior counsel D Prakash Reddy told the court that despite an undertaking given by the Advocate General that Aadhaar or caste details would not be sought on the Dharani portal, it was not adhered to as the manuals for slot booking on the portal.
The authorities were insisting on Aadhar and caste details of ciizens even for the manual for issuance of a Property Tax Identification Number (PTIN), he said.
The Chief Justice said that violation of judicial orders by bypassing the same through colourable actions was a subterfuge of constitutional duties.
The panel adjourned the matter to December 20 and directed the Government to make the requisite changes in the manuals on the Dharani portal.
Making clear that registration of agricultural lands was not being stayed,the panel made clear that such registration as pointed out in the manual was not permissible as it was the assurance given to the court.
The panel was livid at the indirect manner in which the authorities seek information.