Mr.E.Pongiannan Gounder, v. The Inspector General Of Registration,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 17-03-2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE

1. Mr.E.Pongiannan Gounder, S/o.late Elaya Gounder, Residing at 6/1 Iranian Street, Government Arts College Opposite, Rangampalayam Post, Erode Taluk, Erode-638 009.

Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The Inspector General of Registration, No.100,Santhome High Road, Chennai -600 028.

2.The Sub Registrar, Joint I, Rangampalayam, Erode -638 009.

3.M/s.Chennai Network Infrastructure Limited, (presently merged with GTL Infrastructure Limited, Office at.Old No. 186,New No. 232, City Centre, 3rd Floor, Purasawalkam High Road, Chennai -600 010.

Respondent(s) PRAYER Calling for the records of the 2nd respondent in the Impugned Refusal Check Slip No. RFL/Erode Joint/I/187/2025 dated 17.12.2025 and quash the same and consequently direct the 2nd Respondent to impound the Lease Deed dated

27.12.2016 presented by the Petitioner without insisting on the presence of the Lessee For Petitioner(s):

Mr.Manoj Gopalakrishnan For Respondent(s):

U.Baranidharan,SGP For R1 and R2 Mr.S.Kumaran Mr.C.Jaivignesh For R3

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed, challenging the impugned refusal check slip dated 17.12.2025 issued by the second respondent, refusing to impound the lease deed dated 27.12.2016, presented by the petitioner on the ground that the petitioner had not obtained consent from the third respondent, who is the lessee.

2. In an arbitration proceedings, there is a dispute between the petitioner and the third respondent. Since the lease deed dated 27.12.2016 was not properly stamped, the document is impounded by the arbitrator and a reference was made to the second respondent for adjudication. Based on the same, the petitioner had approached the second respondent. Instead of impounding the lease deed dated 27.12.2016 and directing the petitioner to pay the appropriate stamp duty payable for the said lease deed, the second respondent has refused to impound the lease deed dated 27.12.2016 on the ground that the petitioner has not obtained consent from the third respondent, who is the petitioner's lessee.

3. The petitioner has challenged the impugned refusal check slip on the ground of violation of the principles of natural justice and on the ground that it is a non-speaking order.

4. Notice was ordered to the third respondent (Lessee) in this writ petition. Today, the third respondent is represented by a learned counsel. On instructions, he has stated no objection for the second respondent in impounding the lease deed dated 27.12.2016 presented by the petitioner and for payment of the appropriate stamp duty by the petitioner as determined by the second respondent.

5. The learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the official respondents also would submit that since the third respondent has stated no objection, the second respondent shall pass appropriate orders with regard to the request for the impounding of the lease deed dated 27.12.2016 made by the petitioner and for release of the said document on payment of the determined stamp duty by the petitioner.

6. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of by directing the second respondent to impound the lease deed dated 27.12.2016 presented by the petitioner as per the provisions of the Stamp Act and determine the stamp duty payable by the petitioner and on payment of the same, the second respondent shall release the document to the petitioner. The aforesaid exercise shall be

completed by the second respondent within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No Costs.

7. The appearance of the third respondent (lessee) before the second respondent is dispensed with.

17-03-2026 Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes ab

To 1.The Inspector General of Registration, No.100,Santhome High Road, Chennai -600 028.

2.The Sub Registrar, Joint I, Rangampalayam, Erode -638 009.

ABDUL QUDDHOSE J.

ab 17-03-2026