Section 46

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 46(9): Non-liability for loss of instruments sent under section 38 (9) if an appeal is filed as prescribed in sub-section (4) of section-47A, interest at the rate of 5% (five percent) per month shall be payable from the date of the order of the appellate authority for deposit of deficient stamp duty if it is not paid within sixty days of such order. Fg euuplesas ext 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 46(2): Non-liability for loss of instruments sent under section 38 (2) When any instrument is about to be so sent, the person from whose posscssion it came into the hands of the person impounuing the same, may require a copy thereof to be made at the expense of such first-mentioned person and au'henticated by the person impounding such instrument, 47, Power of payer to stamp bills and promissory notes received by him unstamped.— When any bill of exchange or promissory note chargeable with a duty not exceeding len naya paise is presented for payment unstamped, the person to whom it is SO presented, may affix thereto tho necessary adhesive stamp, and upon cancelling the same in manner hereinbefore provided, may pay the sum payable upon such bill or note and may charge the duty against the person who ought to have paid the same, or deduct tt from the surn payable as aforesaid, and such bill or rote shall so far as respucts the duty, be doomed qood and viaic: 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 46(8): Non-liability for loss of instruments sent under section 38 (8) If an appeal is not filed under sub-section-(4) of Section-47A, an interestat the rate of 5% (five percent) per month shall be leviable on the deficient amount of stamp duty if it is not deposited within sixty days from the date of order passed by Collector. 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 46(10): Non-liability for loss of instruments sent under section 38 (10) If the amount of deficient stamp duty is not paid within sixty days from the date of the order of the Collector in case an appeal is not filed against the said order, or within sixty days from the date of the order of the appellate authority as the case may be, the amount of deficient stamp duty along with the amount of interest shall be recovered by the collector as prescribed under Section-48 of the Act."] Comments and Case law [This section is applicable in Punjab, every executive action if it is to operate to the prejudice of any person must be supported by some legislative authority. No guidline can possibly be issued or laid down for controlling the Quasi Judicial decision of a particular functionay. Chamkaur Singh vs. State of Punjab, AIR 4991 P&H 26. The correctness of the valuation can be examined by the Collector also as he fe auioneee to do the same. Tineshwar Dayal vs. Maheshwar Dayal, AIR 1990 SC The Vendee alone is liable to pay the deficit stamp duty in respect of sale deed, where after reference to Collector under section 47 A(1) it appears that the value of the property had not been truly set forth in the instrument at the time of registration. Collector's action in issuing notice to the vendee alone is proper and there is no infraction of law, Hadibandhi Sahu vs. A.D.M., AIR 1991 Orissa 284. . The value of property varies from place to place or even from locality to locality in the same place. No absolute higher or minimum value can be pre-determined. It will only be on objective satisfaction that the Authority has to reach a reasonable beliet that the instrument relating to the transfer of property has truly set forth the value or the consideration mentioned there in is not inadequate. The Registering Authority should make reference of all doubtful cases to the Collector whose decision is final. State of Punjab vs. Mahabir Singh, (1996) 1 SCC 609, Section 47A does not confer power on State to determine the market value of an entire area, region or block. The power under section 47A is exercisable with reference to a particular immovable property covered by the instrument brought for registration. Jawajee Nagnatham vs. Revenue Divisional Officer, (1994) 4 SCC 595. Ruel 5 of Bihar Instrument Valuation Rules, 1991 if given effect to will render, sub-section (1) of section 47A ol Indian Stamp Act otiose. The power vested on the Collector to determine market value of the etary being transferred is also violative of principles of natural justice. High Court therefore st uck down Rule 5 as ultravires. Umesh Thakur vs. State of Bihar, 1994 (1) PLUR 727, - 1, Inserted by Finance Act, 2008 dated 2.42008, ——— 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 46: Partnership: (A) Instrument of- 46. Partnership: (A) Instrument of- *[Rs. 2.5% of the capital of partnership (a) If the capital of partnership is deed subject to a minimum of Rs. 1000/ disclosed in an instrument - (Rupees One thousand) and the maximum of Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees ten - thousand)'. (b) in any other cases te (b) Rs. 10,000/-(Ten thousand) *[B. Reconstitution of partnership.— (a) When immovable property con- (a) The same duty as a Conveyance tributed as share by a partner duty (No. 23) on the value as or partner remains with the firm fixed in MVR of the immovable at the time of outgoing in what- property remaining with the firm, ever manner by such partner or partners on reconstitution of such partnership firm. (b) In any other case (b) Rs. 5000/- (Rupees Five thousand) *[C. Dissolution of partnership.— (a) Where the immovable property (a) The same duty as Conveyance which belonged to one partner or (No. 23) for value equal to the partners when the partnership value as fixed in MVR of the commenced is distributed or property distributed or allotted or allotted or given to another given to the partner or partners partner or partners. under the instrument of dissolution, in addition to the duty which would have been chargeable on such dissolution if such properly had not been distributed or allotted or given, (b) In any other case (b) Rs. 5000/- (Rupees Five thousand) 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 46(4): Non-liability for loss of instruments sent under section 38 (4) Any person aggrieved by an order of the Collector under sub-section (3) May appeal to the Commissioner concerned of the administrative division. Such appeal shall be preferred within sixty days of the order and shall be heard and disposed of by the Commissioner. 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 46(3): Non-liability for loss of instruments sent under section 38 (3) The Collector may suo motu within two years from the date of registration of such instrument not already referred to him under sub-section (1), call for and examine the instrument for the purpose of satisfying himself as to the correctness of the market value of the property which is the subject matter of such instrument and the duty payable thereon and if, after such examination, he has reason to believe that the market value of such property, has not been rightly set forth in the instrument, '[or is less than even the minimum value determined in accordance with any rules made under this Act] he may determine the market value of such property and the duty as aforesaid in accordance with the procedure provided for in sub- section (2). The difference, if any, in the amount of duty, shall be payable by the person liable to pay the duty: Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall apply to any instrument registered before the date of commencement of the Indian Stamp (Bihar Amendment Ordinance, 1986. 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 46(5): Non-liability for loss of instruments sent under section 38 (5) For the purpose of this Act, Market value of any property shall be estimated elieve any person from any penalty on to such bill or note. to be the price which in the opinion of the Collector or the appellate authority, as the 1. Ins. by Bihar Finance Act, 2008 dt. 2.4.2008. 2. Subs by Act 5 af 2013 [ Sec. 474 402] roperty would have fetched or would fetch, if sold, in the open case may be, stent f the instrument of conveyance, exchange, gift, market on the date of execution O iti ttlement. ; Parit(G) Before filing an appeal under sub-section (4), the aggrieved party shall deposit 50% (fifty percent) amount of ne payable gerne C ae uty chargeable ty as determ| ee on the market value of the proper'y OE alia) [tls SOF eran Wabie 7) If after determination of the proper va e sunies ave deliberately conealed the actual description of property or tne market ty orany other facts and circu mstances affecting the chargeability of the Oty aerequired iader section-27 of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 [as amended by Indian Stamp (Bihar Amendment) Act, 1988], the sole or in See ier appeal has been filed, the appellate authority, may impose a ine equal to 10% (ten percent) amount of the deficient stamp duly. 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 46: Non-liability for loss of instruments sent under section 38 46. Non-liability for loss of instruments sent under section 38.—(1) If any instrument sent to the Collector under section 38, sub-section (2), is lost, destroyed or darnaged during transmission, the pe-son sending the same shail not be 'iable for such loss, destruction or damage. 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 46(10): Non-liability for loss of instruments sent under section 38 Sec. 47A ] Indian Stamp Act, 1899 [ Section 47A is constitutionally valid and the insertion of section 47A by the alt in the lagisetiver 1988 an its anendment by Bihar (Amendment) Act, 1991 is withi competence of the i State of Bihar, 1994 (1) PL ey State Legislature, Umesh Thakur vs. Constitutional validity — Section 47A was inserted by Bihar (Amendment) Act 15 of 1988 and was further amended by Indian Stamp 'Bihar Amendment) Act, 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 46(2): Non-liability for loss of instruments sent under section 38 Sec. 47A | Indian Stamp Act, 1899 [101 Provided that nothing herein contained shall r or proceeding to which he may be liable in relati '["47-A Instrument of conveyance.—*[""f(4 Where the registering officers appointed under the Registration Act, 1908 Wile teases ae insirmert of conveyance, exchange, gift, partition or Settlement is satisfied that the classification of the property and/or the measurement of the Structure contained in the property which is subject matter of such instrument has been set forth wrongly or the market value of the property, which '$ Subject matter of such instrument has been set forth at alower rate than the Guideline Register of Estimated Minimum Value prepared under the rules framed under the provision of this Act, he shall refer such instrument before registering it to the Collector for determination of the proper market value of such property and the proper duty payable thereon." Provided that where the market value of the property of the instruments described above has been fixed at an amount which is not less than the value prescribed in the Guide Line Register of estimated minumum value prepared under the rules framed under the provisions of this Act, but the registering officer has reasons to believe that the riarket value of the property which is the subject matter of such instrument has not been rightly set forth or it is higher than the estimated minimum value, he, after registering such instrument, shall refer it by assigning proper reasons to the Collector for determination of proper market value of the property and the proper duty payable thereon." 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 46(2): Non-liability for loss of instruments sent under section 38 (2) On receipt of a reference under sub-section (1), the Collector shall, after giving one month's time to the parties for making their representation and after holding an enquiry determine the market value of the property which is the subject matter of such instrument and the duty as aforesaid. The difference, if any, in the amount of duty, shall be payable by the person liable to pay the duty: Provided that no such person shall be required to pay any amount to make up the difference if the difference between the consideration or the market value as set forth in the instrument '[or is less than even the minimum value determined in accordance with any rules made under this Act] and the market value determined by the Collector does not exceed 10 per cent of the market value so determined.