New Delhi, Oct 18 (JKNS): The Union Law Ministry has notified new rules to streamline the adjudication of violations related to court fees and stamp regulations in Union Territories, introducing a uniform framework for imposing financial penalties, hearing complaints and disposing of appeals within prescribed timelines.
The Union Territories Court Fees (Adjudication of Penalties and Appeal) Rules, 2026, issued on Saturday as per news agency JKNS, operationalise Sections 34A and 34B of the Court Fees Act, 1870, following amendments introduced through the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026.
The new framework focuses on administrative enforcement, accountability and time-bound resolution of violations rather than altering the existing court-fee system.
Under the amended law, minor, non-fraudulent violations of stamp-sale rules have been shifted from criminal punishment to financial penalties.
The rules allow revenue officers, licensed stamp vendors and members of the public to report alleged violations to designated adjudicating officers, who are empowered to examine complaints and impose penalties under the Act.
To ensure uniformity, prescribed formats have been introduced for filing complaints, issuing show-cause notices and submitting appeals.
The rules also require alleged violators to be served a show-cause notice and given a reasonable opportunity to present their case before a penalty is imposed.
While determining penalties, adjudicating officers will consider factors such as public hardship, repeated violations and any unfair financial gains arising from the offence.
The framework prescribes timelines for issuing notices, completing adjudication and disposing of appeals to prevent unnecessary delays.
Individuals aggrieved by penalty orders can challenge them before the designated appellate authority.
Typical violations under the Court Fees Act include failure to properly pay or calculate mandatory court fees, improper handling of court-fee stamps and issues involving document valuation. (JKNS)