Ranchi, March 27: Jharkhand High Court today directed the state to reveal the reason behind irregular and exorbitant rise in price of stamp duty for registration of land and flats here.

The high court, while hearing a PIL, observed that prima facie the rates of stamp duty are very high and assessed without any basis for different areas in the city.

A PIL was filed by Bhai Gokul Chand who challenged the guidelines for registration of properties in different areas of Ranchi.

The guidelines, in the form of a detailed chart, mention the areas along with locality and roads and the exact quantum of stamp duty to be charged for registration of a property in a particular vicinity.

“Such calculation of rates is absurd and works out to an enormous figure at the time of registration of a flat or a plot of land in any area of the city,” the petitioner argued.

The government through the sub-registrar can refuse to register only such conveyance deeds that have been fraudulently shown to be under valued by the seller or the purchaser. The court directed the state to file a detailed counter affidavit and explain the arbitrary rise in price of stamp duty. The division bench granted four weeks time to the government to file its reply in the matter and it will take up the case in the next month.