Need old land records like SLR, adangal or FMB? How RTI can help

Common questions

Can RTI help me get old property or registration records?

Yes. RTI can ask the Sub-Registrar or record office whether the document, index, book, volume, EC, or certified-copy record is available and how to obtain it.

Can RTI help if the original record is damaged or old?

Yes. You can ask what alternate registers, index records, scanned records, encumbrance records, or certified extracts are available.

Can I ask for file movement or officer details?

Yes. Ask for the section holding the record, movement details, pending reason, and name/designation of the officer responsible for the reply.

Why this problem happens

Property and registration problems often happen because old records are split across manual registers, scanned archives, index registers, revenue records, and Sub-Registrar files. Citizens are asked to visit repeatedly without being told which record exists or which office holds it.

RTI is useful because it converts a verbal follow-up into a written, record-based request. The public authority must either provide the available record, transfer the application to the correct authority, or cite the legal reason for refusal.

How RTI can help

A focused RTI can ask for:

• Certified copy or availability status of the property, revenue, registration, index, EC, or mutation record.
• Search details and record-holding section for old/manual/scanned records.
• File movement and pending reason where an application is stuck.
• Copy of the order, notice, endorsement, or rule relied upon by the authority.
• Officer designation responsible for maintaining or certifying the record.
• Transfer details under Section 6(3) if another office holds the record.

Sample RTI questions

1. Please inform whether the relevant property/registration/revenue record is available in your office records.
2. Please provide certified copy or certified extract of the available record, if disclosable under RTI.
3. Please provide the record search status and the section/register/archive where the record is maintained.
4. Please provide copies of the relevant index, EC, mutation, survey, or order record available with the authority.
5. Please provide the recorded reason if the document or record is damaged, unavailable, untraceable, or not issued.
6. Please provide the procedure, fee, and office responsible for issuing certified copies or extracts.
7. If another public authority holds the record, please transfer the RTI under Section 6(3).

Likely public authority

The correct PIO depends on the record: department office, district office, regulator, public authority, or the office that maintains the requested file.

Details to keep ready

• Property or document type
• Village/locality/office for private drafting reference
• Year or approximate period
• Application/receipt details if any
• Record needed
• Any old copy, EC, index, or reference available to you

What RTI can and cannot do

RTI can help obtain existing information from public records. It can also create accountability when the authority avoids giving a clear status or rule-based reply.

RTI cannot decide ownership, correct title disputes, or replace civil/revenue proceedings. It can obtain records, certified copies, file status, rules, and reasons from public authorities.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Do not ask the PIO to give opinions or explanations outside records.
• Do not include unnecessary personal allegations.
• Do not ask for too many unrelated records in one RTI.
• Do not publish private identifiers when using the query as a public learning page.
• Do not forget to ask for certified copies where copies are needed.

When to file First Appeal

File a First Appeal if the authority gives no reply, gives a vague reply, refuses without citing a specific RTI exemption, avoids certified copies, or does not transfer the RTI even though another public authority holds the records.