Quick Summary: A.Muniraja wants the stamp duty for his new apartment in Chennai to be based on land value, not the total value of the property. The court has given him another chance to make his case.
A.Muniraja, living in Anna Nagar, Chennai, was part of an affordable housing project meant for Central Government employees. The project took longer than expected, and he found himself facing high stamp duty fees. He asked the government to consider the land value of ₹2,598 per square foot for calculating the stamp duty, as mentioned in a letter from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs dated August 19, 2025.
"Charging stamp duty and registration fees based on the total property value would be difficult for me."
On December 18, 2025, Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy of the Madras High Court heard the case. The court decided that A.Muniraja could submit a new request to the Inspector General of Registration in Chennai. The court ordered the officials to consider this request according to the rules and respond within two months.
A.Muniraja now has two weeks to submit his new request. After that, the officials have a two-month deadline to make a decision. This decision could set an example for others in similar situations.
This case highlights the challenges faced by individuals in affordable housing projects when it comes to extra costs like stamp duty. It also shows how important it is to have clear and fair policies, especially for government-supported housing plans.
