Stamp Papers valid even after six (6) months of Purchase - According to Supreme Court Judgement in the case of Thiruvengada Pillai vs. Navaneethammal and Anr., [2008 (2) TMI 391 (SC)] the stamp papers do not have any expiry period. Further, The Indian Stamp Act, 1899, nowhere prescribes any expiry date for use of a stamp paper. Section 54 "merely" provides that a person possessing a stamp paper for which he has no immediate use (which is not spoiled or rendered unfit or useless), can seek refund of the value thereof by surrendering such stamp paper to the Collector provided it was purchased within the period of six months next preceding the date on which it was so surrendered.
The stipulation of the period of six months prescribed in Section 54 is only for the purpose of seeking refund of the value of the unused stamp paper, and not for use of the stamp paper. Hence, Section 54 does not require the person who has purchased a stamp paper, to use it within six months.
