Introduction
On 9 February 2021 the Maharashtra governor promulgated the Maharashtra Stamp (Amendment and Validation) Ordinance 2021 with immediate effect. The ordinance introduced two key amendments to the Maharashtra Stamp Act 1958 concerning:
the stamping of documents that encompass multiple transactions; and
stamp duty rates for agreements that relate to:
the creation of a mortgage by deposit of title deeds; and
mortgage deeds.
Stamping of instruments relating to several distinct matters or transactions
Section 5 of the Maharashtra Stamp Act, which deals with the stamping of various instruments that relate to several distinct matters, has been amended retrospectively with effect from 11 August 2015. The section now includes instruments that relate to not only distinct matters but also distinct transactions.