In force · As amended up to 2026-08
Chapter IV: INSTRUMENTS NOT DULY STAMPED
33. Examination and impounding of instruments.—(1) Every person having,
by law or consent of parties, authority to receive evidence, and every person in
charge of public office, except an officer of police, before whom any instrument,
chargeable, in his opinion, with duly is produced or comes in the performance of his
functions, shall if it appears to him that such instrument is not duly stamped, impound
the same.
(2) For that purpose every such person shall examine every instrument so
chargeable and so produced or coming before him, in order to ascertain whether itis
stamped with a stamp of the value and descriptidn required by the law in force in
India, when such instruments was executed or first executed:
Provided that —
(a) nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require any Magistrate or
Judge of a Criminal Court to examine or impound, if he does not think fit so to do,
any instrument coming before him
in the course of any proceeding other than a
proceeding under Chapter XII or Chapter XXXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure,
1898 (V of 1898);
(b) in the case of a Judge of a High Court, the duty of the examining and
impounding any instrument under this section may be delegated to such officer as
the Court appoints in this behalf.
(3) For the purposes of this section, in cases of doubt—
(a) the State Government may determine what offices shall be deemed to be
public offices; and
(b) the State Government may determine who shall be deemed to be persons
in charge of public offices.
Comments and Case-law
[An arbitration award is required to be made on stamped paper by Article 12.
This defect in the arbitration award is curable under section 33 and it cannot be said
that section 35 of the Stamp Act imposes a permanent bar on the powers of the
court
to make such an arbitration award
a rule of the court, even
if the defect
1. Ins.by Bihar Act 6 of 1937 (from 14,1938)
2. See now the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) | Section 33(3): Examination and impounding of instruments
(3) For the purposes of this section, in cases of doubt—
(a) the State Government may determine what offices shall be deemed to be
public offices; and
(b) the State Government may determine who shall be deemed to be persons
in charge of public offices.
Comments and Case-law
[An arbitration award is required to be made on stamped paper by Article 12.
This defect in the arbitration award is curable under section 33 and it cannot be said
that section 35 of the Stamp Act imposes a permanent bar on the powers of the
court
to make such an arbitration award
a rule of the court, even
if the defect
1. Ins.by Bihar Act 6 of 1937 (from 14,1938)
2. See now the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974)
96]
Chapter II: STAMP-DUTIES
A, Of the Liability of Instruments to Duly
3. Instruments chargeable with duty.—Subject to the provisions of this Act
and the exemptions contained in Schedule
|, the following instruments shall be
chargeable with duty of the amount indicated in that Schedule as the proper duty
therefor, respectively, that is to say:—
(a) 'every instrument mentioned in that:
previously executed
by any person, IS execute
first day of July, 1899;
(b)
every bill of exchange pay
note drawn or made out 0
paid, or presented for acceptan
or otherwise negotiated, in India; and
(c)
every instrument (other than a
bill of exchange or promissory note)
mentioned in that Schedule, which not having been previously executed
by any person, is executed oul of India on or after that day, relates to
any property situate, or to matter or thing done or to be done, in India
and is received in India;
"Provided that, except as otherwise expressly provided,
in this Act, and
notwithstanding anything contained in clauses (a), (b) or (c) of this section or in
Schedule
|, the amount indicated in Schedule IA shall, subject to the exemptions
contained in that Schedule, be the duty chargeable on the following instruments,
mentioned in clauses (aa) and (bb) of this proviso, as the proper duty therefore
respectively:—
(aa)
every instruments, mentioned in Schedule IA as chargeable with duty
under that Schedule, which, not having been previously executed by
any person,
is executed in Bihar on or after the first day of January,
1938; and
(bb)
every instrument, mentioned in Schedule IA as chargeable with duly
under that Schedule, which, not having been previously executed by
any person, is executed out of Bihar on or after the first day of January,
1938 and relates to any property situated, or to any master or thing
done or to be done, in Bihar and is received in Bihar:]
Provided '[also] that no duty-shall be chargeable in respect of—
(1) any instrument executed by, or on behalf of or in favour of, the Government
in cases where, but for this exemption, the Government would be liable to pay the
duty chargeable in respect of such instrument;
(2) any instrument for the sale, transfer or other disposition, either absolutely
or by way of mortgage or otherwise, of any ship or vessel, or any part interest,
share or properly of or in any ship or vessel registered under the Merchant Shipping
Act, 1897 (5) and 58Vicl, c (60) or under Act 19 of 1838 or the Indian Registration of
Ships Act, 1841 (10 of 1841), as amended by subsequent Acts.
2{ "Provided further also that any entry in Schedule IA for the State of Bihar
—————
at Schedule which, not having been
din India on or after the
able otherwise, than on demand or promissory
f India on or after that day and accepted or
ce or payment, or endorsed, transferred
7. Ins. by Bihar Act 6 of 1937.
2.
Ins. by Bihar Finance Act 11 of 2002. | Section 33(4): The Stamp Act is a fiscal enactment with the primary object of raising revenue
for the State, Board of Revenue vs. Electronic Industries of India,AIR 1996 SC 616.
Bond
(4) Where any sea-insurance is made for or upon a voyage and also for time or
to extend to or cover any time beyond thirty days after the ship shall have arrived at
her destination and been there moored at anchor, the policy shall be charged with
duty as a policy for or upon a voyage, and also with duty as a
policy for time.
Chapter II: STAMP-DUTIES
A, Of the Liability of Instruments to Duly
3. Instruments chargeable with duty.—Subject to the provisions of this Act
and the exemptions contained in Schedule
|, the following instruments shall be
chargeable with duty of the amount indicated in that Schedule as the proper duty
therefor, respectively, that is to say:—
(a) 'every instrument mentioned in that:
previously executed
by any person, IS execute
first day of July, 1899;
(b)
every bill of exchange pay
note drawn or made out 0
paid, or presented for acceptan
or otherwise negotiated, in India; and
(c)
every instrument (other than a
bill of exchange or promissory note)
mentioned in that Schedule, which not having been previously executed
by any person, is executed oul of India on or after that day, relates to
any property situate, or to matter or thing done or to be done, in India
and is received in India;
"Provided that, except as otherwise expressly provided,
in this Act, and
notwithstanding anything contained in clauses (a), (b) or (c) of this section or in
Schedule
|, the amount indicated in Schedule IA shall, subject to the exemptions
contained in that Schedule, be the duty chargeable on the following instruments,
mentioned in clauses (aa) and (bb) of this proviso, as the proper duty therefore
respectively:—
(aa)
every instruments, mentioned in Schedule IA as chargeable with duty
under that Schedule, which, not having been previously executed by
any person,
is executed in Bihar on or after the first day of January,
1938; and
(bb)
every instrument, mentioned in Schedule IA as chargeable with duly
under that Schedule, which, not having been previously executed by
any person, is executed out of Bihar on or after the first day of January,
1938 and relates to any property situated, or to any master or thing
done or to be done, in Bihar and is received in Bihar:]
Provided '[also] that no duty-shall be chargeable in respect of—
(1) any instrument executed by, or on behalf of or in favour of, the Government
in cases where, but for this exemption, the Government would be liable to pay the
duty chargeable in respect of such instrument;
(2) any instrument for the sale, transfer or other disposition, either absolutely
or by way of mortgage or otherwise, of any ship or vessel, or any part interest,
share or properly of or in any ship or vessel registered under the Merchant Shipping
Act, 1897 (5) and 58Vicl, c (60) or under Act 19 of 1838 or the Indian Registration of
Ships Act, 1841 (10 of 1841), as amended by subsequent Acts.
2{ "Provided further also that any entry in Schedule IA for the State of Bihar
—————
at Schedule which, not having been
din India on or after the
able otherwise, than on demand or promissory
f India on or after that day and accepted or
ce or payment, or endorsed, transferred
7. Ins. by Bihar Act 6 of 1937.
2.
Ins. by Bihar Finance Act 11 of 2002. | Section 33(2): The Stamp Act is a fiscal enactment with the primary object of raising revenue
for the State, Board of Revenue vs. Electronic Industries of India,AIR 1996 SC 616.
Bond
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in any law, no instrument, counterpart
or duplicate or cony, chargeable with duly under this section, shall be received in
evidence as prope |y Stamped unless the duly, chargeable under this section has
been paid thereon:
Provided that a Court, before which any such instrument, counterpart duplicate
or copy is produced, may, in its discretion, permit the duty, chargeable under this
section, lo be paid thereon and may then receive it in evidence. |
7.Policies of sea-insurance.—*[ xxx}.
1. Ins. by Bihar Act 6 of 1937 (trom 1.1.1938),
2, Sub-sections (1), (2) and (3), repealed by Act 11 of 1963, S.92.
Secs. 8-8A
|
Indian Stamp Act, 1899
[
Bt
Chapter VIII: SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS
73. Books, etc. to be open to inspection.— Every public officer having in
his custody any registers, books, records, papers, documents or proceedings, the
inspection whereof may tend to secure any duty, or to prove or lead to the discovery
of any fraud or omission in relation to any duty, shall at all reasonable times permit
any person authorised 'in writing by the Collector to inspect for such purpose the
registers, books, papers, documents and proceedings, and to take such notes and
extracts as they may deem necessary, without fee or charge.
74. Power to make rules relating to sale of stamps.—The State Government
may make rules for regulating—
(a) the supply and sale of stamps and stamped papers,
(b) the persons by whom alone such sale is to be conducted, and
(c) the duties and remuneration of such persons:
Provided that such rules shall not restrict the sale of ten naye paise or five
naye paise adhesive stamps.
{S.O. 1367 dated the 11th October, 1982— In exercise of the powers conferred by
clause (a) of sub-section (1) of Section 9 and Section 74 of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899
(Act no. 2 of 1899). the Governor of Bihar is ploased to make rules that the duties of Stamp
vendors and duties of Katibs (Deed writers) must not be performed by the same individual,
2.
In view of the cleanliness of the Administration and for checking forgery and
defaications it is highly desirable that the duties of a stamp vendor and that of deed writer
should not be performed by the same person or individual,
3. This notification will come
in force at once.
[There
is another notification also | Section 33: [Gift Deed
33.
[Gift Deed
(a) in case of transfer from male to
female 5.7%,
(b) in case of transfer from female to
male 6.3%,
c) in any
other
c
%."
Exemption:
(c)
y
other
case
6%
School, College, Cremation or Burial
ground, Orphange, Public Road,
Panchayat Bhawan, Public Library,
Community Hall,
Institution
for
Women and Children, or physically
ormentally handicapped persons and
Charitable Dispensaries and hostels,
Chapter II: STAMP-DUTIES
A, Of the Liability of Instruments to Duly
3. Instruments chargeable with duty.—Subject to the provisions of this Act
and the exemptions contained in Schedule
|, the following instruments shall be
chargeable with duty of the amount indicated in that Schedule as the proper duty
therefor, respectively, that is to say:—
(a) 'every instrument mentioned in that:
previously executed
by any person, IS execute
first day of July, 1899;
(b)
every bill of exchange pay
note drawn or made out 0
paid, or presented for acceptan
or otherwise negotiated, in India; and
(c)
every instrument (other than a
bill of exchange or promissory note)
mentioned in that Schedule, which not having been previously executed
by any person, is executed oul of India on or after that day, relates to
any property situate, or to matter or thing done or to be done, in India
and is received in India;
"Provided that, except as otherwise expressly provided,
in this Act, and
notwithstanding anything contained in clauses (a), (b) or (c) of this section or in
Schedule
|, the amount indicated in Schedule IA shall, subject to the exemptions
contained in that Schedule, be the duty chargeable on the following instruments,
mentioned in clauses (aa) and (bb) of this proviso, as the proper duty therefore
respectively:—
(aa)
every instruments, mentioned in Schedule IA as chargeable with duty
under that Schedule, which, not having been previously executed by
any person,
is executed in Bihar on or after the first day of January,
1938; and
(bb)
every instrument, mentioned in Schedule IA as chargeable with duly
under that Schedule, which, not having been previously executed by
any person, is executed out of Bihar on or after the first day of January,
1938 and relates to any property situated, or to any master or thing
done or to be done, in Bihar and is received in Bihar:]
Provided '[also] that no duty-shall be chargeable in respect of—
(1) any instrument executed by, or on behalf of or in favour of, the Government
in cases where, but for this exemption, the Government would be liable to pay the
duty chargeable in respect of such instrument;
(2) any instrument for the sale, transfer or other disposition, either absolutely
or by way of mortgage or otherwise, of any ship or vessel, or any part interest,
share or properly of or in any ship or vessel registered under the Merchant Shipping
Act, 1897 (5) and 58Vicl, c (60) or under Act 19 of 1838 or the Indian Registration of
Ships Act, 1841 (10 of 1841), as amended by subsequent Acts.
2{ "Provided further also that any entry in Schedule IA for the State of Bihar
—————
at Schedule which, not having been
din India on or after the
able otherwise, than on demand or promissory
f India on or after that day and accepted or
ce or payment, or endorsed, transferred
7. Ins. by Bihar Act 6 of 1937.
2.
Ins. by Bihar Finance Act 11 of 2002. | Section 33: The Stamp Act is a fiscal enactment with the primary object of raising revenue
for the State, Board of Revenue vs. Electronic Industries of India,AIR 1996 SC 616.
Bond
33. The Stamp Act is a fiscal enactment with the primary object of raising revenue
for the State, Board of Revenue vs. Electronic Industries of India,AIR 1996 SC 616.
Bond.—An "Instrument" creating fresh obligation to pay money to the State
which becomes void upon payment being made, is a "Bond" under the Indian Stamp
Act, and is liable to be assessed to stamp duty, Stafe of Kerala vs. Mcdowell
and
Co. Ltd. AIR 1995 SC 1445.
Section 27 Provides that the consideration amount, if any, and all other facts
and circumstances affecting the chargeability of Stamp Duty on any "instrument"
and the amount of duty chargeable, shall be fully and truly setforth therein. Board of
Revenue vs. Electronic Industries of India, AIR 1996 SC 616.
—Section 5(2)—Definition is not exhaustive—document containing promise
to pay after a certain period on demand—it is 'bond' chargeable under Article 15
Mosst. Radha Devi vs. Dhanik Lall Issar, 1970 PLJR 673.
6. Instruments coming within several descriptions in Schedule
1.— Subject
to the provisions of the last preceding, section, an instrument so framed as to come
within two or more of the descriptions in Schedule
1 shall, where the duties chargeable
thereunder are different, be chargeable only with the highest of such duties:
Provided that nothing in this Act contained shall render chargeable with duty
exceeding one rupee a counterpart or duplicate of any instrument chargeable with
duty and in respect of which the proper duty has been paid.
'[6-A. Payment
of Bihar stamp duty on copies, counterparts or duplicates
when that duty has not been paid on the principal or original instrument.—(1)
Motwithstanding anything contained in Section 4 or 6 or any other law, unless
it is
proved that the duty, chargeable under the Bihar Stamp (Amendment) Act, 1937,
has been paid—
(a)
on the principal or original instruments, as the case may be, or
(b)
in accordance with the provisions of this section,
the duty chargeable on an instrument of sale, mortgage or settlement other
than a principal instrument, or on a counterpart, duplicate or copy of any instrument,
shall, if the principal oy original instrument would, when received in Bihar, have been
chargeable, under the Pihar Stamp (Amendment) Act, 1937, with a higher rate of
duty, be the duty with which the principal or original instrument would have been
chargeable under section 19A.
Chapter IV: INSTRUMENTS NOT DULY STAMPED
33. Examination and impounding of instruments.—(1) Every person having,
by law or consent of parties, authority to receive evidence, and every person in
charge of public office, except an officer of police, before whom any instrument,
chargeable, in his opinion, with duly is produced or comes in the performance of his
functions, shall if it appears to him that such instrument is not duly stamped, impound
the same.
(2) For that purpose every such person shall examine every instrument so
chargeable and so produced or coming before him, in order to ascertain whether itis
stamped with a stamp of the value and descriptidn required by the law in force in
India, when such instruments was executed or first executed:
Provided that —
(a) nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require any Magistrate or
Judge of a Criminal Court to examine or impound, if he does not think fit so to do,
any instrument coming before him
in the course of any proceeding other than a
proceeding under Chapter XII or Chapter XXXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure,
1898 (V of 1898);
(b) in the case of a Judge of a High Court, the duty of the examining and
impounding any instrument under this section may be delegated to such officer as
the Court appoints in this behalf.
(3) For the purposes of this section, in cases of doubt—
(a) the State Government may determine what offices shall be deemed to be
public offices; and
(b) the State Government may determine who shall be deemed to be persons
in charge of public offices.
Comments and Case-law
[An arbitration award is required to be made on stamped paper by Article 12.
This defect in the arbitration award is curable under section 33 and it cannot be said
that section 35 of the Stamp Act imposes a permanent bar on the powers of the
court
to make such an arbitration award
a rule of the court, even
if the defect
1. Ins.by Bihar Act 6 of 1937 (from 14,1938)
2. See now the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) | Section 33: Examination and impounding of instruments
CHAPTER IV
INSTRUMENTS NOT DULY STAMPED
33. Examination and impounding of instruments.—(1) Every person having,
by law or consent of parties, authority to receive evidence, and every person in
charge of public office, except an officer of police, before whom any instrument,
chargeable, in his opinion, with duly is produced or comes in the performance of his
functions, shall if it appears to him that such instrument is not duly stamped, impound
the same.
Chapter IV: INSTRUMENTS NOT DULY STAMPED
33. Examination and impounding of instruments.—(1) Every person having,
by law or consent of parties, authority to receive evidence, and every person in
charge of public office, except an officer of police, before whom any instrument,
chargeable, in his opinion, with duly is produced or comes in the performance of his
functions, shall if it appears to him that such instrument is not duly stamped, impound
the same.
(2) For that purpose every such person shall examine every instrument so
chargeable and so produced or coming before him, in order to ascertain whether itis
stamped with a stamp of the value and descriptidn required by the law in force in
India, when such instruments was executed or first executed:
Provided that —
(a) nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require any Magistrate or
Judge of a Criminal Court to examine or impound, if he does not think fit so to do,
any instrument coming before him
in the course of any proceeding other than a
proceeding under Chapter XII or Chapter XXXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure,
1898 (V of 1898);
(b) in the case of a Judge of a High Court, the duty of the examining and
impounding any instrument under this section may be delegated to such officer as
the Court appoints in this behalf.
(3) For the purposes of this section, in cases of doubt—
(a) the State Government may determine what offices shall be deemed to be
public offices; and
(b) the State Government may determine who shall be deemed to be persons
in charge of public offices.
Comments and Case-law
[An arbitration award is required to be made on stamped paper by Article 12.
This defect in the arbitration award is curable under section 33 and it cannot be said
that section 35 of the Stamp Act imposes a permanent bar on the powers of the
court
to make such an arbitration award
a rule of the court, even
if the defect
1. Ins.by Bihar Act 6 of 1937 (from 14,1938)
2. See now the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) | Section 33(3): Examination and impounding of instruments
[ Secs. 34-35
the stamp is cured by the procedure prescribed by the Stamp Act. M/s Pradip Trading
Co. vs. State of Bihar. 1974 PLJR 225.
;
The rule of limitation does not come into effect if they delay it by an order of
the court and if the delay has been duly explained. Bindeshwar Dayal vs. Maheshwar
Dayal, AIR 1990 SC 485.
Once the case is over the decree is signed and sealed or when a documents
is ordered to be returned
it can no longer be considered to be part of the judicial
orders & cannot therefore properly came before the court again in the performance
of its function and the court is not competent to impound the same. Varghese vs,
State of Kerela, AIR 1982 Ker. 248.
The Stamp Act contains
a comprehensive scheme about the purchase,
collection and realisation of stamp duty chargeable under the provisions of the Indian
Stamp Act. It is a self-contained Code. Board of Revnue vs. Electronic Industries of
India, AIR 1996 SC 616.
Section 33 read with Section 9-A inserted by (Bihar Amdt.) Ordinance, 1986/
(Bihar Amdt.) Act, 1988—sale deeds filed for registration during the currency of
1986 Ordinance—demand for additional sum raised u/s 9A—1986 Ordinance lapsed
in the meanwhile and not renewed—proceeding for impounding documents initiated—
in the meanwhile 1988 Act brought on the statute book but no enforced—1988 Act
enforced in 1990 without retrospective effect or saving the actions taken under 1986
Ordinance—impending proceedings could not have continued after the lapse of 1986
Ordinance—authorities directed to register and then return documents. Life Insurance
Corporation Class
| Officers' Sahkari Grin Nirman Samiti Ltd. vs. State of Bihar,
1992 (2) PLUR 403.
Even though there is no prohibition u/s 49 of Registration Act to receive an
unregistered document in evidence for collateral purpose. But the document so
tendered should be duly stamped or should comply with requirements of Section 35.
Avinash Kumar Chauhan vs. Vijay Krishna Mishra, 2009(1) Supreme 58.]
Chapter IV: INSTRUMENTS NOT DULY STAMPED
33. Examination and impounding of instruments.—(1) Every person having,
by law or consent of parties, authority to receive evidence, and every person in
charge of public office, except an officer of police, before whom any instrument,
chargeable, in his opinion, with duly is produced or comes in the performance of his
functions, shall if it appears to him that such instrument is not duly stamped, impound
the same.
(2) For that purpose every such person shall examine every instrument so
chargeable and so produced or coming before him, in order to ascertain whether itis
stamped with a stamp of the value and descriptidn required by the law in force in
India, when such instruments was executed or first executed:
Provided that —
(a) nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require any Magistrate or
Judge of a Criminal Court to examine or impound, if he does not think fit so to do,
any instrument coming before him
in the course of any proceeding other than a
proceeding under Chapter XII or Chapter XXXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure,
1898 (V of 1898);
(b) in the case of a Judge of a High Court, the duty of the examining and
impounding any instrument under this section may be delegated to such officer as
the Court appoints in this behalf.
(3) For the purposes of this section, in cases of doubt—
(a) the State Government may determine what offices shall be deemed to be
public offices; and
(b) the State Government may determine who shall be deemed to be persons
in charge of public offices.
Comments and Case-law
[An arbitration award is required to be made on stamped paper by Article 12.
This defect in the arbitration award is curable under section 33 and it cannot be said
that section 35 of the Stamp Act imposes a permanent bar on the powers of the
court
to make such an arbitration award
a rule of the court, even
if the defect
1. Ins.by Bihar Act 6 of 1937 (from 14,1938)
2. See now the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) | Section 33(2): Examination and impounding of instruments
(2) For that purpose every such person shall examine every instrument so
chargeable and so produced or coming before him, in order to ascertain whether itis
stamped with a stamp of the value and descriptidn required by the law in force in
India, when such instruments was executed or first executed:
Provided that —
(a) nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require any Magistrate or
Judge of a Criminal Court to examine or impound, if he does not think fit so to do,
any instrument coming before him
in the course of any proceeding other than a
proceeding under Chapter XII or Chapter XXXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure,
1898 (V of 1898);
(b) in the case of a Judge of a High Court, the duty of the examining and
impounding any instrument under this section may be delegated to such officer as
the Court appoints in this behalf.
Source: India Code