THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE K.SARATH WRIT PETITION No.28683 of 2025

ORDER:

This Writ Petition is filed to declare the action of the respondent No.2 in not initiating any action against the petitioner’s representations dated 17.12.2024, 15.02.2025, 03.04.2025 and 03.09.2025, in refunding the stamp duty of Rs.1,69,894/- remitted under Challan No.REG2200347979, to the petitioner in connection with sale transaction under Application No.2200338978 as illegal and arbitrary.

2. Heard Sri Thimmaraju Ramchandra Rao, learned counsel for the petitioner and Smt S.Sravanthi, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Stamps and Registration for the respondents. With the consent of both the parties, this writ petition is disposed of at the stage of admission itself.

3. It is the case of the petitioner that he has paid Rs.1,69,894/- (Rupees one lakh sixty nine thousand and eight hundred and ninety four only) towards stamp duty for execution of Sale Deed and the same was remitted vide Challan No.REG2200347979.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that due to the subject land was notified as disputed land in Dharani Web Portal, the respondent No.3 refused to register the Sale Deed presented before him on 04.04.2022. In view of the same, the petitioner has submitted representations/applications dated 17.12.2024, 15.02.2025, 03.04.2025 and 03.09.2025 to respondent No.2 for refund of Registration Fees. As there was no response from the respondents, the petitioner was constrained to approach this Court.

5. Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Stamps and Registration submitted that due to the administrative reasons, the delay has occurred for refund of amount to the petitioner and in all likelihood, the amount would be refunded to the petitioner as expeditiously as possible.

6. Taking the above facts and circumstances into consideration, this Court is of the considered view that the amount deposited by the petitioner towards payment of stamp duty and registration charges cannot be withheld by the respondent authorities for a period of more than one year and the respondents have to refund the amount.

7. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of directing the respondents to refund the amount of Rs.1,69,894/- (Rupees one lakh sixty nine thousand and eight hundred and ninety four only) to the petitioner within a period of eight (08) weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order. There shall be no order as to costs.

Miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending in this Writ Petition shall stand closed.

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JUSTICE K.SARATH Date: 22.09.2025 spk