Correcting Revenue Records and Khasra Girdawari in Haryana

In rural and peri-urban Haryana, revenue records are often the first documents examined in any land dispute. Two records come up again and again: the jamabandi (record of rights) and the Khasra Girdawari (the crop inspection register recording cultivation and possession, season by season).

Why these entries matter

Entries in revenue records carry a presumption of correctness until proved otherwise. An incorrect girdawari entry showing someone else in cultivating possession can weaken an owner's position in later proceedings.

The general route to correction

• An application is made to the competent revenue officer, supported by documents such as title deeds, mutation orders and earlier records.
• The revenue officer may call for reports, examine the record and hear the affected parties.
• Orders of revenue officers may be challenged through appeals and revisions before higher revenue authorities.

When a civil suit is needed

Revenue authorities do not finally decide questions of title. Where ownership itself is disputed, a declaration suit before the civil court may be necessary.

This article is for general information only and is not legal advice.