PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Almora
In the additional district magistrate court, the additional district magistrate, Almora, Yukta Mishra resolved 18 stamp duty evasion cases pending in the court and imposed a penalty worth over Rs 24.33 lakh under the provisions of the Indian Stamp Act. Earlier, the court had heard these cases, providing both parties involved with a full hearing opportunity.
Sources said that false information had been presented in the sale deeds, concealing the accurate details of the land and the structures on the property, trees, nature of the land and its use. This amounted to an attempt to cause revenue loss by underpaying stamp and registration fees. Subsequently, action was taken under the act.
In the cases heard by the court, statutory penalty at the rate of 1.5 per cent per month as per the provisions of the Act from the date of execution of the deed till the date of the order were imposed.
Sources further said that a total penalty of Rs 24, 33,990 has been imposed in the 18 cases settled by the court, against which Rs 8, 32, 853 has been deposited in the treasury so far. In the remaining cases, notices have been issued to the parties concerned to deposit the funds. In the event of non-deposit of the funds within the stipulated time period, the amount would be recovered as if it were an outstanding land revenue, ADM court sources informed.
The ADM made it categorically clear that effective action as per rules would continue in such cases to prevent evasion of stamp duty and protect revenue interests.
