"The notification is an exercise aimed at checking the proliferation of black money and undervaluation of instruments preventing loss to the public exchequer, discouraging land grabbing and ensuring payment of fair compensation to the villagers for the sale of agricultural land," a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath was told.
Additional Standing Counsel Sanjoy Ghose, appearing for the Delhi government, defended its stand and told the court that the "rates are not excessive and have been notified considering the rates prevailing in the market".
"The committee constituted in terms of section 27 (3) of Indian Stamp Act examined the rates at which identical nature of properties were registered by the office of Sub-Registrar, rates offered and displayed at the various property related portals etc. And recommended district-wise determination of rate for agriculture land in Delhi which is both logical and reasonable," the affidavit said.
It also said it is well within the legislative competence of Delhi government and they have "power to issue notification and the said power has not been conferred upon the LG".
The plea contended the August 4, 2015 notification raised the circle rates in a discriminatory manner and thus be declared as "null and void".