Power of Attorney registration, or the registration of any other document such as a rental agreement such as a leave & license document in India is done at the offices of the Sub-Registrar. The registration process in India involves:
•Visiting the sub-registrar office with the document to be registered. Power of Attorney prepared in India is done on stamp paper whereas if prepared abroad no stamp paper is required. NRIs who are not present in India should get the POA holder to get the registration done.
•Original documents with copies showing proof of address and proof of identity. [Self-attestation of documents is allowed these days in most cases.]
•Two passport size photographs [Sub- Registrar will take your photo also at time of registration along with thumb print]
•Two witnesses who should also have proper identification.
The Basic Principles To Remember:
1. The general rule of power of attorney is that it should be strictly construed.
2. Unless an express power is conferred on an agent to enter into contracts of guarantees on behalf of his principal or to execute or negotiate , negotiable instruments for his principal jointly with others
3. An agent cannot by his acts bind the principal to a larger extent than he is empowered to do under the power of attorney.
4. Fraud by the power agent does not bind the principal. He cannot be sued or otherwise held responsible for fraud by the agent
5. If the power does not authorize the agent to carry on a business except with limitations any act done by him in excess of such power will not bind the principal.
6. For example power to dispose of property does not confer a power to mortgage the property.
7. Power to manage immoveable property cannot permit principal's ornaments which are a moveable proper
As per law, the principal also has the right to rescind a POA. "If there is a mention of a consideration (amount) in the POA, the holder can claim that money through legal means. But he cannot claim rights over the property once the POA is rescinded or the principal dies,"
GOPAL VERMA
ADVOCATE ON RECORD
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA