Lawyer Moves Kerala High Court Seeking Implementation Of E-Stamp Facility, Cites Shortage Of Non-Judicial Stamp Papers

The plea thus seeks a direction to the Director of the Department of Treasuries to implement steps for the implementation of the e-stamp facility for the issuance of non-judicial stamp papers of all denominations in online mode.

The Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice A.Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Sophy Thomas will hear the matter on September 04, 2024.

The plea alleges that there is an acute shortage of stamp papers of the denomination of rupees 100, 200 and 500 and that people are forced to buy 1000 rupees stamp papers. The plea stated that non-judicial stamp papers of rupees 50 and 100 denominations were required for the preparation of essential documents like birth certificates, affidavits, rent agreements etc.

The plea stated that the unavailability of stamp papers violates the right of the public to access government services and make legal documents. It was stated that there is a greater financial burden on the public to buy stamp papers of higher denominations due to the lack of availability of stamp papers of lower denominations.

The plea argued that the State Government had not issued orders for printing stamp papers, as it was expecting the e-stamp service for lower denominations to start on August 1, 2024, which has not yet been launched. It was stated that e-stamp facility is available only for non-judicial stamp papers worth above one lakh rupees.

The plea has been moved by Advocates M.G.Sreejith, Vidyajith M., Rojin Devassy, Bincy Jose

Case Title: Jyothish P V State of Kerala

Case Number: WPC No. 28547/2024