STATE OF UTTARKHAND vs HARPAL SINGH RAWAT

The Supreme Court addressed the issue of stamp duty payable on a lease agreement for toll collection under the Indian Stamp Act, 1899. The Court held that the lease agreement executed between the parties is subject to stamp duty under Article 35 of Schedule I-B of the Act, rather than Article 57, as argued by the respondent. The judgment of the Uttarakhand High Court was set aside, affirming that the correct interpretation of the applicable statute necessitates the payment of stamp duty as per the terms of the lease agreement.