Varanasi: District magistrate Ghazipur MP Singh on Thursday formed a three-member committee under an ADM to probe the alleged stamp duty evasion of over Rs 41.50 lakhs in a case of registry of a commercial complex constructed in British period. Officials hint that if this evasion is proved, the registry department may face verification of records of other cases of registry.
Singh told TOI, “On coming to know about allegations of stamp duty evasion in high volume, I formed a three-member team comprising officials from the finance and registry department under an ADM to probe into the irregularities. The course of action will be decided after the probe is over.”
The officials said that a commercial complex constructed in British era is located near DAV College in the city. This complex is spread in 13,031 sqmt, including 1700 sqmt built area. This building had been sold in April 2019. During the time of purchase of stamp for registration, the built area was shown in 225.5 sq mt while the first floor of the building was not mentioned in the papers.
Registrar Deepak Agrawal admitted that when the documents of the building registered in the name of one Sheela Devi in April 2019 were examined, evasion of stamp duty of Rs 41,53,770 came to light after which a report was forwarded to the joint commissioner, registration.
The evasion came to light when the new owner submitted self-assessment certificate before the Ghazipur municipal board for fixing house and water taxes. In the certificate the actual details of the complex had been mentioned, said officials.