Category: Stamp Act

Maharashtra Stamp Act, 1958 — Section 4 — The appellants sought a declaration and injunction in a civil suit — The defendants requested impounding of six documents related to property transactions, claiming they were not duly stamped — Whether the appellants are liable to pay stamp duty and penalty on agreements to sell executed prior to the sale deed —The appellants argued that since the sale deed was registered and stamp duty paid, the prior agreements did not require separate stamping —The respondents contended that the agreements included a clause about the transfer of physical possession, necessitating stamp duty —The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, affirming the High Court’s decision to impound the documents and send them for adjudication of stamp duty and penalty —The court emphasized that the agreements to sell were separate transactions requiring individual stamp duty, as they included clauses for possession transfer —The court referred to Section 4 and Explanation I to Article 25 of Schedule I, concluding that the agreements were conveyances requiring stamp duty — The appeal was dismissed, and the appellants were directed to pay the appropriate stamp duty and penalty on the impounded documents.

2024 INSC 730 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH SHYAMSUNDAR RADHESHYAM AGRAWAL AND ANOTHER — Appellant Vs. PUSHPABAI NILKANTH PATIL AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Pankaj Mithal and…

“Supreme Court Clarifies State’s Power to Levy Stamp Duty on Insurance Policies” Stamp Act, 1899 – Rajasthan Stamp Law (Adaptation) Act, 1952 – Power to levy and collect stamp duty – The primary issues are the legislative competence of the State to levy stamp duty on insurance policies and the applicability of the Rajasthan Stamp Law (Adaptation) Act, 1952 or the 1998 Act – LIC contends that the state lacks legislative competence to impose stamp duty on insurance policies and challenges the demand for stamp duty payment for policies issued using stamps purchased from Maharashtra – The State of Rajasthan argues that it has the power to collect stamp duty on insurance policies under Entry 44 of List III, as per the rate prescribed by the Parliament under Entry 91 of List I – The Supreme Court dismissed the appeals, upheld the High Court’s judgment, and affirmed the state’s power to levy stamp duty. However, it directed that the state shall not demand and collect the stamp duty as per the orders dated between 1993-94 and 2001-02 – The Court reasoned that the state has the legislative competence to impose and collect stamp duty on insurance policies, and the 1952 Act applies to the case – The Court analyzed the constitutional provisions and previous judgments to conclude that the state can impose stamp duty using rates prescribed by the Parliament – The Supreme Court concluded that while the state’s power to levy stamp duty is upheld, the specific demands for stamp duty payment in this case were set aside due to the circumstances presented.

2024 INSC 358 SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH LIFE INSURANCE CORPORATION OF INDIA — Appellant Vs. THE STATE OF RAJASTHAN AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Pamidighantam Sri…

Bombay Stamp Act, 1958 – Section 9 – Refund of stamp duty paid for an increase in share capital – The Supreme Court examined whether Form No. 5 is an “instrument” under the Stamp Act and if the notice of increased share capital materially alters the Articles of Association, requiring fresh stamp duty – The Court upheld the High Court’s decision, stating that the Articles of Association are the only instruments liable for stamp duty and that the maximum cap applies as a one-time measure – The appellants were directed to refund the stamp duty with interest.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ANOTHER — Appellant Vs. NATIONAL ORGANIC CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES LTD. — Respondent ( Before : Sudhanshu Dhulia and Prasanna B. Varale,…

Stamp Act, 1899 – Section 35 – Contract Act 1872 – Section 2(g) – Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996 – Sections 8 and 11 – Arbitration – Enforceability of Unstamped Agreements – Unstamped Arbitration Agreements Not Void – Agreements which are not stamped or are inadequately stamped are inadmissible in evidence under Section 35 of the Stamp Act – Such agreements are not rendered void or void ab initio or unenforceable

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA SEVEN JUDGE BENCH IN RE: INTERPLAY BETWEEN ARBITRATION AGREEMENTS UNDER THE ARBITRATION AND CONCILIATION ACT 1996 AND THE INDIAN STAMP ACT 1899 ( Before : Dr…

Stamp Act 1899 – Section 35 – Evidence Act, 1872 – Section 65 – Unstamped document – Secondary evidence – If a document that is required to be stamped is not sufficiently stamped, then the position of law is well settled that a copy of such document as secondary evidence cannot be adduced

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH VIJAY — Appellant Vs. UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Abhay S. Oka and Sanjay Karol, JJ. ) Civil Appeal…

HELD in the nature of the transaction, and what was actually sold by the Official Liquidator, plant and machinery, such as would answer the description of immovable property, must also be found part of the property for the purpose of the stamp duty and other charges as per law.

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH THE SUB REGISTRAR, AMUDALAVALASA AND ANOTHER — Appellant Vs. M/S DANKUNI STEELS LTD. AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : K.M. Joseph and Hrishikesh…

Stamp Act, 1899 – Section 31, 32 and 47A – Adjudication of the stamp duty – When a sale deed is presented for registration, the registering authority must ascertain the correct market value of the property subject matter of the document on the date of execution of the document – Stamp duty is payable on the basis of such market value and not on the consideration mentioned in the document – Relevant market value is the one which prevails on the date of execution of the conveyance –

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA DIVISION BENCH SHANTI BHUSHAN (D) THR. LR. AND OTHERS — Appellant Vs. STATE OF U.P. AND OTHERS — Respondent ( Before : Abhay S. Oka and…

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Temple Bye Laws — Oachira Parabrahma Temple — Ancient structure without a building or deity, governed by Bye-laws with three-tier elected committees — Appellants, elected Secretary and President, challenged two High Court orders (2020 and 2023) that removed their committee and appointed an unelected one under an Administrative Head, citing violations of the temple’s Bye-laws and customs —Legality of appointing an unelected committee and removing the elected one contrary to the temple’s Bye-laws — Petitioner argues that the High Court overstepped its jurisdiction and violated the temple’s governance structure by appointing an unelected committee and removing the elected one without proper legal basis — The High Court’s actions were necessary for the efficient administration of the temple until a scheme could be framed and new elections held — The Supreme Court modified the High Court orders, appointing a new retired Judge as Administrative Head to conduct fair elections within four months, while directing all parties to cooperate — The Court emphasized the need to preserve temple properties and governance as per established customs and laws — The Supreme Court struck down the High Court’s order appointing an unelected committee, appointed a new Administrative Head to conduct elections, and directed all parties to cooperate, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the temple’s established governance structure and Bye-laws.