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Mohammad Ali v. Board Of Revenue, U.P, Allahabad And Others
Factual and Procedural Background
The petitioner was the highest bidder in an auction for the Tahbazari of the Town Market at Kichha, Nainital for the period from 1st April 1972 to 31st March 1973, offering Rs. 42,000/-. A deed of agreement was executed between the parties. Subsequently, the Stamp Inspector reported that the deed was deficiently stamped, requiring the petitioner to pay a deficient stamp duty of Rs. 2727.25 and a fine of Rs. 272.40. The Town Area Committee informed the petitioner accordingly. The petitioner, through counsel, disputed the deficiency and penalty, asserting that the deed was properly stamped and did not constitute a bond. The Collector, Nainital passed an order against the petitioner, which was upheld by the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority on revision. Aggrieved, the petitioner filed the present writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution seeking to quash both the Collector's order and the order of the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority.
Legal Issues Presented
- Whether the deed of agreement executed by the petitioner required stamp duty beyond Rs. 2.50 or Rs. 6/- as contended.
- Whether the deed of agreement is to be considered a bid-sheet exempt from stamp duty or a lease instrument attracting stamp duty under the Stamp Act.
- Whether the orders passed by the Collector and the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority regarding the deficiency of stamp duty and penalty are legally sustainable.
Arguments of the Parties
Petitioner’s Arguments
- The deed of agreement was in the nature of a bid-sheet and did not require stamp duty as per law.
- If any stamp duty was required, it was duly affixed and could not exceed Rs. 2.50.
- The determination of stamp deficiency by the Stamp authorities was erroneous and the penalty imposed was unjustified.
- Relied upon judicial rulings including Mohd. Yaqub Khan v. Chief Controlling Revenue Authority (1977 All 93), Mahabir Prasad v. Peer Bux (AIR 1972 All 466), and B.C Mohindra v. Municipal Board Saharanpur (AIR 1970 SC 729) to support the contention that the deed was not liable for the assessed stamp duty.
- Invoked Section 5(c) of Schedule I-B of the Stamp Act to argue that the stamp duty could not exceed Rs. 6/- on the agreement.
Table of Precedents Cited
| Precedent | Rule or Principle Cited For | Application by the Court |
|---|---|---|
| Mohd. Yaqub Khan v. Chief Controlling Revenue Authority, AIR 1977 All 93 (FB) | Definition of lease under Section 2(16)(c) of the Stamp Act and distinction between bid-sheet and lease instrument. | The Court relied on this ruling to clarify that a bid-sheet does not create rights or liabilities and thus is not a lease; however, the present agreement was not a bid-sheet and thus not exempt. |
| Mahabir Prasad v. Peer Bux, AIR 1972 All 466 | General principles related to stamp duty liability on agreements. | The Court considered this ruling but found the present agreement did not fall within the exemption contended by the petitioner. |
| B.C Mohindra v. Municipal Board Saharanpur, AIR 1970 SC 729 | Stamp duty applicability on lease and related agreements. | Used to support the interpretation of the Stamp Act provisions applicable to the case. |
Court's Reasoning and Analysis
The Court examined the deed of agreement alongside the provisions of the Indian Stamp Act, specifically Section 2(16)(c) defining "lease" and Item 35(b) of Schedule I-B concerning stamp duty on leases granted for a fine or premium without rent. The Court found that the agreement was not a mere bid-sheet but a signed deed creating rights and liabilities between the parties regarding the Tahbazari. Thus, the petitioner could not claim exemption from stamp duty on that basis. The Court also considered the petitioner's reliance on Section 5(c) of Schedule I-B, which prescribes a stamp duty of Rs. 6 for agreements or memoranda not otherwise provided for, but held that this provision did not apply given the nature of the agreement. The impugned orders of the Collector and the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority were held to be legally sound and free from any apparent error. Consequently, the Court rejected the petitioner's contentions and upheld the orders requiring payment of deficient stamp duty and penalty.
Holding and Implications
DISMISSED
The Court dismissed the writ petition, thereby affirming the orders of the Collector and Chief Controlling Revenue Authority regarding the deficiency in stamp duty and penalty. The parties were directed to bear their own costs. No new precedent was established; the decision confirms the applicability of the Stamp Act’s provisions on leases and agreements creating rights and liabilities beyond mere bid-sheets.
1. By means of this writ petition the petitioner has prayed for quashing the order of the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority dated 8-12-1978 contained in Annexure ‘6’ attached with the writ petition and also the order dated 18-1-1975 passed by the Collector, Nainital contained in Annexure ‘5’ attached with the writ petition.
2. The petitioner was the highest bidder and had offered Rs. 42,000/- as the Tahbazari in auction of Town Market at Kichha, Nainital for the period from 1st April, 1972 to 31st March, 1973. A deed of agreement was executed as is evident from the term of the deed contained in Annexure ‘1’ attached with the writ petition. It appears that on the report of the Stamp Inspector it was detected that the deed of agreement contained in Annexure ‘1’ attached with the writ petition was deficiently stamped. Therefore the deficient stamp to the tune of Rs. 2727.25 P. as well as the fine of Rs. 272-40P. was reported to be realised from the petitioner and information was sent by the Town Area Committee to the petitioner as is evident from Annexure ‘3’ attached with the writ petition. The petitioner through his counsel Sri I.N Tandon sent a reply to the Administrator, Town Area Committee asserting that the requisite stamp duty had been affixed upon the agreement and the agreement could not be termed as bond nor the deficient amount of stamp as indicated nor penalty could be realised from the petitioner. If any amount is taken the petitioner shall defend himself and would be legally entitled to recover costs from the Town Area (See Annexure ‘4’). Annexure ‘5’ is the order passed by the Collector, Nainital. Against the order of the Collector, Nainital the petitioner had preferred a revision petition which has been dismissed by the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority through Annexure ‘6’. Aggrieved by the orders contained in Annexures ‘5’ and ‘6’ aforesaid the petitioner has approached this Court under Art. 226 of the Constitution.
3. Before me the learned counsel for the petitioner has contended that the term of the agreement contained in Annexure ‘1’ is in the nature of bid-sheet and no stamp was required under the provisions of the law. According to the learned counsel for the petitioner if any stamp was needed it was duly affixed and it could not be more than the stamp of Rs. 2-50.
4. During the course of arguments the learned counsel for the petitioner has placed reliance upon the ruling reported in 1976 All WC 791 (2) : (AIR 1977 All 93) (FB) Mohd. Yaqub Khan v. Chief Controlling Revenue Authority and he has also referred to the rulings reported in 1972 All LJ 618 : (AIR 1972 All 466) (Mahabir Prasad…Applicant; v. Peer Bux…Opposite Party. and 1970 All LJ 570 : ((1969) 1 SCC 56 : AIR 1970 SC 729) B.C Mohindra v. Municipal Board Saharanpur , Saharanpur.
5. Learned counsel for the petitioner also invited my attention to the provisions of S. 5(c) of schedule I-B of the Stamp Act and it has been contended that the determination by the Stamp authorities regarding deficiency of the stamp on the deed contained in Annexure ‘1’ attached with the writ petition is patently erroneous and deserves to be quashed.
6. I have considered the contentions raised on behalf of the petitioner and I have gone through the rulings relied upon by the learned counsel for the petitioner. I have also examined the provisions of S. 5(c) of schedule I-B of the Stamp Act.
7. The contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner that the order passed by the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority contained in Annexure ‘6’ is bad in law and deserves to be quashed, is not acceptable to me in view of the observations made in the ruling relied upon by the learned counsel for the petitioner and reported in 1976 All WC 791 (2) : (AIR 1977 All 93) (FB) supra. In paragraph 19 of the aforesaid ruling the following observations have been made:—
“……In the instant case we are concerned with the lease of tolls, as defined in S. 2(16)(c) of the Stamp Act. As stated earlier, lease included an instrument by which tolls of any description are let. The instrument includes every document by which any right or liability is or purports to be created. Bid-sheet, in our opinion, neither created nor purports to create any right or liability.”
8. In the present case giving rise to the writ petition the bare perusal of the agreement contained in Annexure ‘1’ attached with the writ petition would indicate that it is not a bid sheet, therefore, the petitioner cannot derive any benefit out of this ruling. Moreover, the deed contained in Annexure ‘1’ indicates that both the parties had signed the deed and they have agreed to the terms how the Tahbazari was to be realised. I think that the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority has not patently erred in taking the view indicated in Annexure ‘6’ attached with the writ petition.
9. S. 2(16)(c) of the Indian Stamp Act defines the term “lease”. “Lease” means a lease of immovable property and includes also—
(a), (b) ………………
(c) any instrument by which tolls of any description are let.
10. S. 35(b) of Schedule I-B of the Indian Stamp Act reads as below:—
“35. Lease, including an under lease or sublease and any agreement to let or sub-let—
(a)………………
(b) Where the lease is granted for a fine or premium or for money advanced and where no rent is reserved.”
11. Reading the Deed of Agreement contained in Annexure ‘1’ attached with the writ petition together with the provisions of S. 2(16)(c) and the provisions of Art. 35(b) of Schedule I-B of the Stamp Act I think that the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority has arrived at correct conclusion in the facts and circumstances of the present case. The impugned order does not suffer from any error of law much less an error apparent on the face of the record.
12. In view of my above conclusions it is not necessary to deal with other contentions raised on behalf of the petitioner.
13. However, Item 5(c) of Schedule I-B of the Stamp Act, 1899 reads as below:—
“5. Agreement or Memorandum of an Agreement—
(a), (b) ……………
(c) if not otherwise provided for.
Proper Stamp duty indicated in the Act is Rs. 6/-.
14. The contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner that in no case more than Rs. 6/- could be levied upon the terms of the agreement contained in Annexure ‘1’ attached with the writ petition, therefore, the impugned order contained in Annexure ‘6’ attached with the writ petition should be quashed I think that the arguments in this regard are misconceived. That aforesaid provisions would not apply to the facts of the present case.
15. I have already indicated above that the reading of the Agreement contained in Annexure ‘1’ attached with the writ petition read with the provisions of S. 2(16)(c) read with Item 35(b) of Schedule I-B of the Stamp Act would cover the agreement under consideration. Therefore, lam not prepared to hold that the impugned order of the Chief Controlling Revenue Authority suffers from any patent error of law.
16. In the result the writ fails and is accordingly dismissed. Parties are directed to bear their own costs.
17. Petition dismissed.
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