State Of Karnataka & Ors vs Vivekananda M Hallur & Ors

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision regarding the refund of stamp duty under the Karnataka Stamp Act, 1957, specifically Article 5(e)(i), affirming that the Lease-cum-Sale Agreements executed by the Kendriya Upadhyayara Sangha do not qualify for exemption as they are not executed by a House Building Co-operative Society. The Court established that the Sangha's agreements are valid for stamp duty purposes and that the respondents are entitled to a refund of the excess stamp duty paid on the Absolute Sale Deeds. The appeals by the State were dismissed, confirming the High Court's ruling on the matter.