Power to Impound under Maharashtra Stamp Act Affects Property Rights; Can Be Exercised Only by Registering Officer: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court has delivered an important ruling clarifying the scope of Section 33A of the Maharashtra Stamp Act, 1958, holding that the power to impound a registered document is a serious statutory power affecting civil and property rights and can be exercised only by the Registering Officer before whom the document was registered. The Court ruled that no other revenue authority or superior officer can assume this power…