THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE K.SARATH WRIT PETITION No.27250 of 2025

ORDER:

This Writ Petition is filed to declare the action of respondent No.5 in not considering the representation of the petitioner dated 12.07.2025 seeking refund of Rs.1,91,079/- (Rupees one lakh ninety one thousand seventy nine only) paid vide e-Challan No. REG2100787979 dated 27.08.2021 towards Stamp Duty, Mutation Charges, PPB Charges, Transfer Duty, Registration Fees and Haritha Nidhi for Registration Application No.2100775560 for execution of Sale Deed booked in Dharani Portal and subsequently cancelled slot on 04.08.2022 as illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional.

2. It is the case of the petitioner that she intended to purchase agricultural land situated at Kistapur Village, Manugode Mandal, Nalgonda District. She remitted requisite stamp duty and registration fee under challans on 27.08.2021 generated through Dharani Portal for execution of sale deed. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the petitioner has cancelled the said slot on 04.08.2022 for refund of Rs.1,91,079/- paid through e-Challan No. REG2100787979 dated 27.08.2021 towards Stamp Duty, Mutation Charges, PPB charges, Transfer Duty, Registration Fees and Haritha Nidhi and decided not to go ahead with the sale transaction. The petitioner submitted representation on 12.07.2025 to the respondent No.5 seeking refund of Rs.1,91,079/-, remitted to the Registration Department towards registration charges. As there is no response from the respondents, the petitioner has constrained to approach this Court.

3. Learned Assistant Government Pleader submitted that under the provisions of Stamps Act, the District Collector is competent to refund the amount within a period of six months and after six months period, it is the Inspector General of Stamps and Registrations, who has to take a decision and 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.

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

5. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of directing the respondents to refund the amount of Rs.1,91,079/- within a period of four (04) weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order.

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

________________________ JUSTICE K.SARATH

Date: 11.09.2025

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