Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation

2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 26455

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
ABDUL QUDDHOSE, J
R.Mohanbabu – Appellant
Versus
The Inspector General of Registration – Respondent
W.P.No.11825 of 2026|W.P.No.11826 of 2026

Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Mr.P.Krishnan
For the Respondents: Mr.U.Baranidharan, Special Government Pleader [R1 to R3]

Registration authorities must decide on pending document registration within time frame, issuing speaking order if refused.

Headnote:First Paragraph: Under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, petitioners sought mandamus to direct registration authorities to register pending documents dated 20.11.2021 (Doc.Nos.262/263 of 2021). Essential facts involve documents pending at Sub Registrar's office without final decision on registrability, despite no admitted legal impediment. Court found that registration authorities must take a reasoned decision on pending documents within stipulated time. Second Paragraph: Key issue framed as whether Sub Registrar must decide on registration or refusal of pending documents. Ratio decidendi emphasizes statutory duty of Sub Registrar to either accept or refuse registration with a speaking order after hearing parties, preventing indefinite pendency. Third Paragraph: Writ petitions disposed directing Sub Registrar to decide within four weeks; no costs.

Table of Content
1. petitions seek mandamus for document registration. (Para 1 , 2)
2. no legal bar; decision on registration required. (Para 3 , 4)
3. direct decision within 4 weeks with speaking order. (Para 5 , 6)

COMMON ORDER

These Writ Petitions have been filed to direct the respondents 1 to

3 to register the pending documents bearing Doc.Nos.263 and 262 of

2021, both dated 20.11.2021 on the file of the 3^rd respondent.

2. Mr.U.Baranidharan, learned Special Government Pleader, accepts notice on behalf of the respondents 1 to 3. Since no adverse order is passed against the respondents 4 and 5 in these writ petitions, notice to the respondents 4 and 5 is dispensed with by this Court.

3. The petitioners categorically state that there is no legal impediment for the 3^rd respondent to register the aforesaid pending documents, namely Doc.Nos.263 and 262 of 2021, both dated 20.11.2021. According to the petitioners, despite the same, till date, the aforesaid two documents have not been registered by the 3^rd respondent.

4. Admittedly, till date, the 3^rd respondent has not taken a final decision as to whether the said pending documents can be registered or not. Necessarily, a decision has to be taken by the 3^rd respondent either to accept the registration of those pending documents or refuse registration. Therefore, this Court will have to direct the 3^rd respondent to take a final decision as to whether the said pending documents can be registered or not, within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

5. Accordingly, this Court directs the 3^rd respondent to take a final decision as to whether the pending documents bearing Doc.Nos.263 and 262 of 2021, both dated 20.11.2021 can be registered or not, within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, after hearing all the necessary parties, which includes the respondents 4 and 5. In case, the 3^rd respondent refuses to register the aforesaid pending documents, the 3^rd respondent shall pass a speaking order with regard to the petitioners’ contentions as raised in these writ petitions.

6. With the aforesaid directions, these Writ Petitions are disposed of. No costs.

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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 26455

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRASABDUL QUDDHOSE, JR.Mohanbabu – AppellantVersusThe Inspector General of Registration – RespondentW.P.No.11825 of 2026|W.P.No.11826 of 2026

Registration authorities must decide on pending document registration within time frame, issuing speaking order if refused.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
ABDUL QUDDHOSE, J
R.Mohanbabu – Appellant
Versus
The Inspector General of Registration – Respondent
W.P.No.11825 of 2026|W.P.No.11826 of 2026