The government has received 71 complaints of irregularities and corruption against officials and employees of sub-registry offices across the country over the past year, with five departmental cases filed after investigations confirmed allegations in five instances.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman disclosed the information in a written reply to a question from the Jhalakathi-1 MP Rafiqul Islam Jamal in Parliament.
The minister said the Law and Justice Division had taken various initiatives to prevent corruption, irregularities and dependence on middlemen at sub-registry offices and ensure transparency and accountability in deed registration.
Of the 71 complaints received over the past year, preliminary field investigations were conducted into 21. Following the investigations, five departmental cases were filed against the officials concerned after the allegations were found to be substantiated.
Besides, written explanations were sought from 12 officials, while 31 complaints were forwarded to the Directorate of Registration for action in accordance with the relevant rules, he said.
The minister said all government revenues related to deed registration would be paid through the automated challan (A-Challan) system from November 15, 2026, to ensure transparency and accountability in payments for registration and certified copies of deeds.
Training for all sub-registrars on the new payment system had already been completed, he added.
As part of efforts to modernise and digitise the registration system, the government has been implementing a development project titled ‘Automation of Land Registration System’ since July 1, 2025.
The project, scheduled to run until June 30, 2030, aims to bring deed registration services across the country under a modern digital platform.
An integrated Registration Resource Planner (RRP) software is being developed under the project. The minister expressed hope that online deed registration would be introduced in the second half of 2027 or the first half of 2028.
Once implemented, the system will facilitate cashless and transparent services, including deed registration, delivery of certified copies, preservation of deeds and record searches through a digital platform.
He also said the government had introduced a lottery-based transfer system for sub-registrars to ensure transparency and neutrality in their postings. The process would continue in phases.
To make it easier for citizens to report harassment and irregularities, a Grievance Redress System option has been activated on the website of the Law and Justice Division, allowing people to submit complaints online and seek remedies under the existing grievance redress mechanism.
The minister said the division remained committed to preventing corruption, irregularities and public harassment at sub-registry offices.
He added that legal and administrative action was regularly taken following investigations into complaints involving the collection of extra fees, bribery, the activities of middlemen, forgery of deeds, harassment of service seekers and revenue evasion.