Checking the litigation status of a property or land before purchase is essential to ensure there are no ongoing legal disputes that could affect ownership, possession, or future use. This verification involves investigating multiple legal and administrative forums to cover all potential issues.
1. Civil Courts
- District Civil Court / City Civil Court
Properties involved in title disputes, partition suits, or injunctions are typically subject to cases filed under civil jurisdiction. - Family Court (if applicable)
Check for disputes involving inheritance or family partitions where the land may be part of matrimonial or ancestral property issues.
Where to Check:
- Local court record rooms (manual)
- Official websites of district courts
2. High Courts
- High Courts may hear appeals from lower courts or original cases involving larger properties, constitutional issues, or land acquisition compensation.
- If the seller is a corporation or institution, check if any writ petitions or challenges have been filed against land transactions or acquisitions.
Where to Check:
- Official High Court websites (e.g., Delhi High Court)
- Legal research databases (Manupatra, SCC, Indian Kanoon)
3. Revenue and Land Tribunals
- Cases involving mutation disputes, land grants, agricultural tenancy rights, or conversion issues are commonly heard in Revenue Courts or Land Tribunals.
- These bodies handle administrative orders affecting ownership status and can nullify or suspend property rights.
Where to Check:
- Tahsildar or District Collector’s office (physical records)
- State revenue tribunal websites (e.g., Maharashtra Revenue Tribunal)
4. Consumer Forums (NCDRC, SCDRC, DCDRC)
- If the property was sold by a developer, builder, or real estate company, the buyer must check consumer court portals for cases filed under the Consumer Protection Act for delayed possession, fraud, or misrepresentation.
Where to Check:
- Consumer Forum Case Status
- State and district consumer court portals
5. Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRT)
- In cases where the property was mortgaged and is now subject to bank loan recovery or auction, litigation may exist in DRT under the SARFAESI Act.
- Especially relevant for commercial and industrial land under financial distress.
Where to Check:
- DRT offices or e-DRT portals
- Bank auction notices and asset reconstruction company disclosures
6. National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)
- Check NCLT if the owner is a company facing insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).
- Land assets of such companies may be under moratorium or subject to resolution processes.
Where to Check
- IBBI (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India) portal for CIRP cases
7. Police Stations and Criminal Court Records
- For any FIRs, criminal complaints, or encroachment cases, local police stations and Judicial Magistrate Courts must be checked.
- Criminal litigation may affect possession or use, especially in cases of land grabs, forged documents, or violence over property.
Where to Check:
- RTI request or personal inquiry at the local police station
- Magistrate court cause lists
8. Online Legal Portals and Gazette Notifications
- Cases involving land acquisition, environmental clearance, or public utility claims may appear in public notices or gazettes.
- Land alerts and legal tech platforms may also track case history.
Where to Check:
- State government gazettes
- Legal intelligence platforms like:
- Indian Kanoon
- Vakilsearch litigation search
- LegalKart or LawRato property litigation scans
- Indian Kanoon
