In Brief

The Supreme Court ruled that returning expired stamp papers does not satisfy a judicial direction to refund money. When the petitioner was entitled to a refund of ₹3,99,100 for unused stamp papers following a failed property transaction, the Agra Development Authority returned the physical papers, which had expired and become worthless. The State rejected the refund request citing procedural rules limiting refund claims. The Court held that administrative rules cannot override binding Supreme Court orders. The spirit of the judgment required actual monetary refund, not symbolic compliance. The State was directed to refund the full amount within two months, with the contempt petition disposed of upon the State's unconditional apology.

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