2008 Supreme(AP) 50
Andhra Pradesh High Court
R. SUBHASH REDDY, J.
M. Hari Narayana @ Hari Babu – Appellant
Versus
The Chief Controlling Revenue Authority & Commissioner and
Inspector General of Registration and Stamps, A.P. and others - Respondent
Writ Petition No.17605 of 2007
Decided on: 29-01-2008
Advocate Appeared
For the petitioner:Sri V.R.Reddy Kovvuri, Advocate.
For the Respondents: G.P. for Land Revenue.
Headnote:(A) Stamp Act 1899-Articles 6(A), 6(B), 47-A Explanation I - Agreement of sale -No endorsement with regard to delivery of possession- Stamp duty cannot be charged treating agreement as a Sale under Article 47-A. Question of validity of delivery of possession under a receipt will not have any bearing on examining chargeability of stamp duty on agreement of sale. Inasmuch as agreement of sale is not followed by delivery of possession and there is no endorsement with regard to delivery of possession on any subsequent date, it cannot be construed as a sale within meaning of explanation 1 to Article 47-A.[Para 12]
(B) Stamp Act, 1899-Article 6(B) of Schedule I-A. Applicability- It is applicable only in relation to agreements for development/sale in relation to construction of a house or building including a multiunit house or building or unit of apartment/flat/portion of a multi-storied building or for development/sale of any other immovable property. Presently, it is not an agreement for any of the purposes mentioned under Article 6(B) of Schedule I-A. Chargeable duty indicated in Article 6(B) of Schedule I-A cannot be applied. [Para 12]
2004(1) ALD 557-Relied.
(C) Interpretation of Statute- Words “followed by or evidencing delivery of possession of the property agreed to be sold” used in explanation 1 to Article 47-A of Schedule I-A of Stamp Act, 1988 has necessarily to be interpreted only with reference to recitals in the agreement of sale and any evidence by way of endorsement on the very deed of agreement. [Para 12]
2. One Smt. P. Swaroopa Rani was the owner of a theatre which was being run in the name of 'Sri Venkateswara Picture Palace', situated in Survey No.72/1 of Nagarajupalli village in 14th Ward in Kadapa Municipal limits. Petitioner has entered into an agreement of sale to purchase the said theatre for a total consideration of Rs.64,00,000/-. The agreement was executed on 28th of March 2001 on Rs.100/- Non-judicial stamp paper. In terms of the above agreement, a part consideration amount was paid and possession was to be handed over by the owner to the petitioner-purchaser on receiving the full sale consideration amount of Rs.64,00,000/-. It is alleged that in spite of readiness by the petitioner to pay the balance consideration amount and to take possession of the property, the owner failed to perform the contract. Therefore, the petitioner herein filed a suit in O.S.No.44 of 2002 on the file of the District Judge, Kadapa, seeking specific performance of the agreement. In the said suit, when the petitioner herein wanted to exhibit the agreement of sale dated 28th of March 2001, there was an objection from the owner of the theatre, who is defendant in the suit, on the ground that same is not admissible in evidence as much as it was under-stamped and the stamp duty paid was not in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 (for short 'the Act'). On such an objection, the learned District Judge, Kadapa has referred the document in I.A.No.45 of 2003 for impounding and collection of stamp duty and penalty as per the provisions of the Act and the Rules made thereunder. On such reference, initially the District Registrar, Kadapa has passed orders dated 11.07.2003 in Proceedings No.G1/85/2003, determining the deficit stamp duty of Rs.3,72,500/- and a penalty equivalent to one time of the deficit stamp duty i.e. Rs.3,72,500/- and demanded totally an amount of Rs.7,45,000/-. The said order was questioned before the appellate authority and the appellate authority has set aside the same on the ground that the District Registrar has passed orders dated 11.07.2003 without giving proper opportunity to the petitioner and remitted the matter to the primary authority-District Registrar, Kadapa for fresh consideration. After remand, the 2nd respondent-District Registrar has passed the impugned order dated 14.12.2005 by recording a finding that the market value of the property which is the subject matter of the agreement of sale dated 28.03.2001 was Rs.74,52,000/- and confirmed the deficit stamp duty and penalty at Rs.7,45,000/-.
3. It was the case of the petitioner before the primary authority that as much as the document is a simple agreement of sale, it falls within the purview of Article 6(C) of Schedule I-A of the Act and as such, the stamp duty paid was sufficient and there is no deficit stamp duty at all. But however, the primary authority, by recording a finding that the agreement of sale dated 28.03.2001 will fall within the purview of Article 6(B) of Schedule I-A of the Act for the purpose of chargeability of stamp duty, rejected the plea of the petitioner. As against the said orders, the petitioner filed a revision petition before the 1st respondent-Chief Controlling Revenue Authority purportedly under Section 56(1) of the Act. The said authority, by further impugned order dated 2nd of August 2007 in Proceedings No.CCRA/19798/2005, while setting aside the order dated 14.12.2005, has issued directions to the District Registrar i.e. respondent No.2 herein to make a fresh order treating the case under A