Wednesday, June 9, 2021

B N A in consumer proceeding

 

Before the Hon’ble State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, West Bengal, at 11A, Mirza Ghalib Street, Kolkata – 700087.

 

                                                                   FA No. 785 of 2012.

( Arisen out of Order Dated 14/08/2012, in Case no. CC/118/2012 of District South 24 Parganas DF, Alipore )

 

In the matter of :

Shri Kanailal Maity_____Appellant.

-      Versus –

Shri Dhananjoy Kamila and others.

                             ___Respondents.

 

BRIEF NOTES OF ARGUMENT

ON BEHALF OF APPELLANT

 

The present appeal preferred challenging the Order dated 14/08/2012, of District South 24 Parganas DF, Alipore, the said Order passed as of :

a)   The appellant was directed to pay Rs. 1,00,000/- for the unfinished work;

b)   The appellant was directed to pay Rs. 80,000/- as Compensation for harassment, and mental agony;

c)   The appellant was directed to pay Rs. 1,00,000/- towards enhancement of market value and stamp duty etc.;

d)   The appellant was directed to pay Rs. 10,000/- as cost;

e)   The appellant was directed for execution and registration of deed of conveyance in favour of the complainant / respondent.

1)   That the Appellant / Respondent / Opposite Party, being Developer, solely not able to execute and register the deed of conveyance, since, the earls while Owner died and legal successor and heir did not grant any Power of Attorney to execute any Sale Deed, on his behalf, for this reasons alone, the appellant was not able to execute the registration of Deed of Conveyance in favour of Respondent / Complainant. Such cause of non execution of registration of Deed of Conveyance in respect of the Flat of the Complainant / Respondent, solely devolved upon the Land Owner / Respondent no.2, herein.

 

2)   The Development Agreement dated 27-05-1997, was entered into with Biswanath Ghosh, and whereas he given the General Power of Attorney dated 05-06-1997,  and whereas the Agreement for Sale with the Complainant Purchaser has been cause on 01-11-2003, in respect of one flat at ground floor in the newly constructed building, and whereas the said Biswanath Ghosh, died in the year 2004, as on 30-12-2004, and on his expiry the General Power of Attorney become in operative, though the possession of the said flat has been delivered to the Complainant Purchaser on 16-12-2005.

 

3)   After expiry of the said Biswanath Ghosh, his legal heirs and successors, raised so many disputes and instituted Civil Suit being Title Suit no. 169 of 2005, { Rabi Sankar Ghosh – Versus – Kanai Lal Maity } and Misc. Appeal no. 214 of 2005 ( Sri Kanai Lal Maity – Versus – Sri Rabi Sankar Ghjosh ), and did not co-operate to cause any execution of registration of Deed of Conveyance in favour of Purchaser.

 

4)   The said Title Suit ultimately compromised between the parties, and whereas even though the present Land Owner did not provide any power of Attorney in favour of the Developer, nor did cause any endavour to execute and register the deed of conveyance in favour of the purchaser.

 

5)   The present Land Lord / Owner entered into a supplementary Agreement for Development, under the continuation of the Principal Development Agreement dated 27-05-1997, though no General Power of Attorney has ever been granted by him in favour of the developer for acting on his behalf or to cause the sale and or execute the registration of Deed of conveyance.

 

6)   The appellant handed over the physical possession of the Flat as enumerated under Agreement for Sale dated 01-11-2003, to the complainant purchaser as on 16-12-2005, while the total consideration money was not at all paid and whereas the amount of Rs. 1,00,000/- were still unpaid, vide Letter of Possession dated 16-12-2005.

 

7)   The allegation about the unfinished work raised by the complainant purchaser is a frivolous and fabricated story as to clinch issues in his favour, since the complainant purchaser has taken the physical possession in completed conditions in all respects and whereas the complainant purchaser placed some papers in Annexure 7, of his complaint before the Learned Lower Forum, though those papers has not ever been authenticated nor substantiated with any report of the surveyor commissioner, and thus the story of unfinished work is a concocted story.

 

8)   Synopsis of Dates :

 

a)    27-05-1997      -        Development Agreement,

b)   05-06-1997      -        General Power of Attorney granted by Land Owner

in favour of Developer,

c)    01-11-2003      -        Agreement for Sale,

d)   30-12-2004      -        Land Owner Biswanath Ghosh – DIED,

e)    16-12-2005      -        Possession of Flat DELIVERED,

f)     2005                -        Title Suit no. 169 of 2005 { Rabi Sankar Ghosh –

 Versus – Kanai Lal Maity }

g)    2005                -        Misc. Appeal no. 214 of 2005 { Sri Kanai Lal Maity –

                                  Versus – Sri Rabi Sankar Ghosh }

h)   15-06-2012      -        General Power of Attorney granted by

Shri Rabi Sankar Ghosh in favour of appellant,

i)     15-05-2012      -        Consumer Case being C.C. no. 118

of 2012, filed.

 

 

9)   The possession of the Flat was delivered as on 16-12-2005, the possession Letter dated 16-12-2005, has been relied upon and enclosed by the complainant as Annexure – 6, of the complaint petition. which clearly states about the balance of Rs. 1,00,000/- and for the registration of deed of conveyance, by the appellant.

 

10)                After acquiring possession of the flat, the complainant did not make any payment of the balance amount of Rs. 1,00,000/- and did not cause any endavour for the execution and registration of the deed of conveyance.

 

11)                The complainant in his petition of complaint shows some of letter dated as of 30-12-2007, 25-04-2008, 26-04-2008, and 24-05-2011, which bring much suspicion as after the expiry of two years from the date of acquiring possession of the flat the letter has been given purposively in a view to extend the limitation to file the complaint case before the Hon’ble Consumer Forum, and thus not tenable.

 

12)                Regarding the allegation of unfinished work two piece of paper as of annexure – 7 to the petition of complaint has been provided by the complainant which shows the documents as of made in the year 2008, and of amount of Rs. 9,395/- and Rs. 19,425/- only, bring much suspicion as after acquiring the possession of the said flat in the year 2005, the complainant could not find those but in the year 2008, he find all of a sudden the list of unfinished work after the expiry of more than two years, is not a believable story from any corner of argument.

 

13)                The complaint has been filed on and after expiry of seven ( 7 ) years, from the date of accrual of cause of action, if any, and thus under the limitation and bared in accordance with the provision of Section 24A of the Consumer Protection Act’ 1986, and therefore liable to be dismissed, and even in the factual circumstances and in any event the complainant is not liable to get any relief as prayed for in his petition of complaint.

 

14)                The appellant relied upon the following judicial references :

 

a)    B.S. wallia – Versus – DLF Universal Limited – CPJ ( 2014 ) I NC 215.

b)   Jay Grih Nirman Pvt. Limited – Versus – Arunoday Apartment Owners Association – I ( 2014 ) CPJ 307 NC.

c)    Sunny Estates & anr. – Versus – Venkateshwara Sarma & Others – III ( 2013 ) CPJ 170 NC.

d)   Revision Petition No. 1953 of 2011 ( from the Order dated 29-01-2011 of Maharashtra State Commission, Mumbai, in Appeal No. 1430 of 2009 )- Kishore Shriram Sathe – Versus – Mr. Voivek Gajanan Joshi – National Commission, New Delhi, - Pronounced on 1st October’ 2013.

In view of facts and in the Law, the appeal may be allowed in the interest of administration of justice.

 

Through ____________

 

Counsel for the appellant.

Date : 9th day of March’ 2015.

Place : Calcutta High Court.

 

 

 

Rate of Stamp Duty

 

Rate of Stamp Duty : The existing rate of stamp duty on some important Article of Schedule 1A of the Indian Stamp Act are mentioned below :

Sl. No.

No. Name of Article

Rate of Stamp Duty

Rate of Regn. Fee

1.

4 Affidavit

Rupees Ten (Rs.10)

Rs.7.00

2.

5 Agreement

(a) If relating to sale of immovable property
(b)if relating to an agreement giving authority to a promoter or developer, by whatever name called, for construction on, or sale of, or transfer (in any manner whatsoever ) of, any immovable property –

(i)where the market value of the property does not exceed rupees thirty lakh;
(ii)where the market value of the property exceeds rupees thirty lakh but does not exceed rupees sixty lakh;
(iii)where the market value of the property exceeds rupees sixty lakh but does not exceed one crore ;
(iv)where the market value of the property exceeds rupees one crore but does not exceed rupees one and half crore;
(v)where the market value of the property exceeds rupees one and half crore but does not exceed rupees three crore;
(vi)where the market value of the property exceeds rupees three crore;
(There are some other clauses also)


The same as conveyance for market value (No.23)






Rupees five thousand


Rupees seven thousand


Rupees ten thousand


Rupees twenty thousand


Rupees forty thousand


Rupees seventy five thousand


Rs. 7.00

3.

15 Bond

4% of value secured

Under Article A

4.

23 Conveyance


23A Conveyance, in respect of amalgamation, merger, reconstruction, or demerger, of companies, other than amalgamation, merger, reconstruction or demerger, of two banking companies or a banking company with a non-banking financial company, executed on the basis of decree or final order of any Civil Court or every order made by the Tribunal under section 394 of the Companies Act, 1956, as defined by section 2(10), not being a transfer charged or exempted under No. 62, on the market value of the property which is the subject¬ matter of the conveyance, when the property of the transferor company located in the State of West Bengal is transferred to the transferee company by way of such amalgamation, merger, reconstruction, or demerger or companies under the decree of final order of any Civil Court or every order of the Tribunal under section 394 of the Companies Act, 1956:



Provided that on and after the constitution of the National Company Law Tribunal, the expression ’High Court’ shall be read as ’Tribunal’.

5% on maeket value in Panchayet Area


6% on market value in Municipal Areas, Corporation Areas and notified area other than those included in 23(a) and specified mouzas or blocks of South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas which are distributed over three action areas of New Town Kolkata Development Authority and divided into a number of blocks.

1% Additional Stamp Duty in both urban and rural areas, if the market value exceeds 40 lakh w.e.f. 02.03.2015.

The same duty as a Conveyance (No. 23) on the aggregate of the market value of the shares issued or allotted, in exchange or otherwise, and the amount of consideration paid-

(a) by the transferee company, for such amalgamation or merger:

Provided that the amount of such duty chargeable under this article shall not exceed:

(i) an amount equal to two per centum of the true market value of the immovable property located within the State of West Bengal of the transferor company, or

(ii) an amount equal to half per centum of the aggregate of the market value of the shares issued or allotted, in exchange or otherwise, and the amount of consideration paid by such transferor company, for such amalgamation, whichever is higher;

(b) by the resulting company, for such reconstruction or demerger

- Provided that in case of reconstruction or demerger, the amount of such duty Chargeable under this item shall not exceed-

(i) an amount equal to two per centum of the true market value of the immovable property located within the State of West Bengal of the transferor company, or

(ii) an amount equal to half per centum of the aggregate of the market value of the shares issued or allotted, to the resulting company and the amount of consideration paid for such demerger, whichever is higher.";

Up to Rs. 250 is Rs. 2

Up to Rs. 500 is Rs. 7

Up to Rs. 1000 is Rs. 8 UP to Rs. 5000 is Rs. 9

For Rs. 1000 or part thereof in excess of Rs. 1000.

Above Rs. 5000 is Rs. 11 for Rs. 1000 or part thereof in excess of Rs. 5000.

5.

31 Exchange of property

Same duty as conveyance (No. 23) on market value of the property of greatest value

Same as above

6.

32. Further Charge

Instrument of, that is to say, any instrument imposing a further charge on mortgaged property –

(b) when such mortgage is one of the description referred to in clause (b) of Art no 40 (that is , without possession)-

(ii) if possession is not given






Rupees Ten for every Rs. 500 or part thereof, for an amount secured by such deed, subject to the maximum of Rs. 1 lac. w,e,f. 01.06.2014






‘A’ fee subject to a maximum of Rs. 55,000 w.e.f. 01.06.2014

7.

33 Gift
     (1) When made to a member of a family

     (2) When made to an others


0.5% of the market value of the property

Same duty as conveyance (No.23) on market value


Same as above with no cap


Same as above

8.

in article 35,-


"(a) whereby such Lease the rent is fixed and no premium is paid or delivered- (i) where the’ lease purports to be for a term not exceeding one year;



(ii) where the lease purports to be for a term exceeding one year but not exceeding ten years;



(iii) where the lease purports to be for a term exceeding ten years but not exceeding thirty years;

(iv) where the lease purports to be for a term exceeding thirty years and for any term renewed.

"(b) where such lease is granted for a fine or premium, or for money advanced, or for security charges advanced, and where no rent is reserved-

(i) where the lease purports to be for a term not exceeding thirty years;

(ii) Where the lease purports to be for a term exceeding thirty years and for any term renewed or in perpetuity or where no term is mentioned.

"(c) where such lease is granted for a fine or premium, or for money advanced, or for development charges advanced,’ or for security charges advanced, in addition to rent reserved –
(i) where the lease purports to be for a term not exceeding thirty years;


(ii) Where the lease purports to be for a term exceeding thirty years and for any term renewed or in perpetuity or where no term is mentioned.


[The expression "or for security charges advanced" referred to in items (b) and (c) of article 35, shall mean non-refundable security charges or deposits only.]

(There are some other clauses and explanations.)




The same duty as a Bottomry Bond (No. 16) for the whole amount paid, payable or deliverable under such lease.

The same duty as a Conveyance (No. 23) for a consideration equal to twice the amount or value of the average annual rent reserved.

The same duty as a Conveyance (No. 23) for a consideration equal to three times the amount or value of the average annual rent reserved.

The same duty as a Conveyance (No. 23) on the market value of the property which is the subject-matter of the lease.

The same duty as a Conveyance (No. 23) for a consideration equal to the amount or the value of such fine or premium or money advanced, or security charges advanced, as set forth in the lease.

The same duty as a Conveyance (No. 23) on the market value of the property which is the subject matter of the Lease.

The same duty as a Conveyance (No. 23) for a consideration equal to the amount or value of such fine or premium or advance as set forth in such lease, in addition to the duty which would have been payable on such lease, if no fine or premium or advance had been paid or delivered.

The same duty as a Conveyance (No. 23) on the market value of the property which is the subject-matter of the lease; or an aggregate of Stamp duties as a conveyance (No. 23) on rent (three times of the average annual rent) and premium or money advanced or security charges advanced, whichever is higher:

Provided that in any case, when an agreement for a lease is stamped or a lease in pursuance of such agreement is subsequently executed, the duty on such lease shall not exceed rupees ten."



Same as above

9.

43. Note of Memorandum, sent by a broker or agent to his principal intimating the purchase or sale on account of such principal –


(a) of any goods exceeding in value twenty rupees;

(aa) of any goods exceeding in value twenty rupees but not delivered;

(ab) of any goods relating to future and options trading;

(ac) of any goods relating to forward contract of commodities traded through an association or otherwise;






Fifty paise for every Rs. 5000 or part thereof

Ten paise for every Rs. 5000 or part thereof

Ten paise for every Rs. 5000 or part thereof

Ten paise for every Rs. 5000 or part thereof

Same as above

10.

45. Partition

0.5% of the market value of the separated share or shares of the property

Same as above

11.

48. Power of Attorney


"(g)when given to a promoter or developer, by whatever name called, for construction on, or sale of, or transfer (in any manner whatsoever) of, any immovable property –

(i)where the market value of the property does not exceed rupees thirty lakh;

(ii)where the market value of the property exceeds rupees thirty lakh but does not exceed rupees sixty lakh;

(iii)where the market value of the property exceeds rupees sixty lakh but does not exceed one crore ;

(iv)where the market value of the property exceeds rupees one crore but does not exceed rupees one and half crore;

(v)where the market value of the property exceeds rupees one and half crore but does not exceed rupees three crore;

(vi)where the market value of the property exceeds rupees three crore;

Explanation- Where the proper stamp duty is paid under clause (f) of article 5 on a promoter’s or developer’s agreement between the same parties in respect of the same property, the proper stamp duty under this clause shall be rupees fifty ."

( There are some other clauses also)









Rupees five thousand


Rupees seven thousand



Rupees ten thousand


Rupees twenty thousand



Rupees forty thousand



Rupees seventy five thousand

12.

46 .Partnership

(a)Up to Rs. 500

(b)Up to Rs. 10000

(c)Up to Rs. 50000

(d)Exceeding Rs. 50000



Rs. 20

Rs. 50

Rs. 100

Rs. 150

Rs. 7.00

13.

61. Surrender of the lease,

When such lease is chargeable with duty;

Exemption.

Surrender of the lease, when such lease is exempted from duty.



Rupees one hundred irrespective of the term of lease."

14.

63. Transfer of Lease

a) Govt. land in favour of family members as defined in Article 33.

b) in any other case



0.5% on the market value of the property.

Same as conveyance on the market value of the property.



Same as conveyance.


Same as conveyance.

# Standard User Charge :: Rs. 175 /- upto 15 pages. ( Above 15 pages Rs. 6/- per page extra)

Rate of Stamp Duty for Conveyance (Articles- 23)

Sl. No.

Date of effect

Rate of Stamp Duty

Remarks

1.

28.03.1994

10%

Upto 14.07.1996

2.

15.07.1996

5%

Upto 31.03.2002

3.

01.04.2002

Municipal area         6%
Panchayet area       5%

Upto 20.10.2002

4.

21.10.2002

Corporation area     8%
Municipal area         6%
Panchayet area       5%

Upto 04.08.2003

5.

05.08.2003

Corporation area     8%
Municipal area         8%
Panchayet area       5%

 

6.

01.08.2006

Corporation area     6%
Municipal area         6%
Panchayet area       5%

  Additional 2% stamp duty
  For KIT/HIT removed
  w.e.f. 01.08.2006.

7.

01.04.2007

Above 25 lac

 (a)Corporation (Kolkata/Howrah) Area                    7%
 (b)Municipal Corp./Municipality/Notified Area           7%
 (c)Other then those included in clause (a) or (b)     6%

25 lac & its below

 (a)Corporation (Kolkata/Howrah) Area                    6%
 (b)Municipal Corp./Municipality/Notified Area           6%
 (c)Other then those included in clause (a) or (b)     5%