DHARMADEO RAI vs RAMNAGINA RAI

The Supreme Court held that Section 83(1) of the Indian Registration Act, 1916, is permissive and does not prohibit a private individual from filing a complaint regarding forgery of a lease. The Court clarified that the section applies only when an offence comes to the knowledge of a Registering Officer in an official capacity, and it does not prevent private prosecutions. The conviction of the appellant under Section 82(d) was set aside as the complaint was deemed maintainable without prior permission from the Registering Officer.