In Brief
The appellants purchased a flat under an agreement dated 30 August 2014 and paid stamp duty of ₹27.34 lakh. After executing a cancellation deed on 17 March 2015 (registered 28 April 2015), they sought refund. Between execution and registration, Section 48(1) of the Maharashtra Stamp Act was amended on 24 April 2015, reducing the refund claim period from two years to six months from registration. The CCRA initially allowed the refund but later recalled it, citing the amended six-month limit. The Supreme Court held that the accrued right arises at execution date, not registration date. Therefore, the unamended two-year period applies. The CCRA lacked statutory power to review its own order. The Court allowed the refund of ₹27.34 lakh with simple interest at 6% per annum from 8 January 2018.
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