The government is set to cancel six types of land deeds in June next year, aiming to ensure a land management system with transparency and accountability.
A high official at the land ministry has told The Financial Express the deeds that are faulty or prepared through fraudulence will be treated as illegal, and thus will be cancelled.
He says the Bangladesh Digital Land Survey, which is now going on in six places of four districts, is likely to start in other parts of the country in June 2026, which will help preserve the legal deeds on the government-designated website.
If Heba deeds were prepared fraudulently or by taking thumbprints from ill or physically challenged individuals, those will be outright cancelled.
Heba is an Arabic word meaning "gift" or "blessing".
In Sharia law, it refers to the voluntary transfer of property or ownership from one person to another without any consideration (exchange of value).
Therefore, a Heba deed is the legal document used to formalise a gift of property under the Muslim personal law, requiring registration with the proper authorities to be effective.
It is often used for transferring property among family members.
As per the existing law, one-third of the total land could be transferred through will deeds (Osiatnama) to persons not having any link with the heirs.
If any such deed was made ignoring the existing law, that will be cancelled.
A will deed is a legal document that declares a person's wishes regarding the disposal or management of their property after their death.
It only takes effect upon the death of the testator. A testator is a person who makes a legally valid will to dispose of their property after death.
The key requirements include having testamentary capacity, meaning they must be of sound mind and understand the significance of creating the will.
Besides, the land deeds that were made without registration will be cancelled.
The deeds prepared through fraudulence and forgery will be cancelled. Moreover, ownership claimed through such deeds will also be cancelled.
The deeds prepared by using political influence or muscle power will be cancelled.
If a land is jointly owned and one of the owners sells more than their actual share, its deed will be cancelled.
The real heirs will get back their respective portions through court verdicts.
According to the land ministry officials, if the government's move is implemented, it will reduce land-related forgery, dual land deeds, and complexities over determining heirs.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com
