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Section 70: Power of Inspector-General to remit fines

Registration Act • Official Statutory Text & Practice Guide

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Act 1908
Section 69 All 93 Sections of Registration Act Section 71

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 70

Section 70 empowers the Inspector-General of Registration to remit in whole or in part any fines levied under Section 25 (delay in presentation) or Section 34 (delay in appearance).

  • Fine Remission Power: The Inspector-General may, in his discretion, remit wholly or in part the difference between any fine levied under Section 25 or Section 34 and the amount of the proper registration fee.
  • Discretionary Relief: Invoked in cases of genuine hardship, medical emergencies, natural disasters, or unavoidable bureaucratic delay.
  • Application Process: Aggrieved party submits a formal representation to the IGR detailing the extraordinary circumstances warranting fine refund.
Key Landmark Precedents:
  • State of U.P. v. District Registrar, (2006) 3 SCC 430: The Supreme Court noted that fine remission provisions under Section 70 provide equitable relief against statutory penalty rigor in deserving cases.
  • Veena Singh v. District Registrar, (2022) 7 SCC 1: Affirmed the discretionary jurisdiction of the IGR to waive procedural penalties where default was beyond the party's control.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

If the Registrar imposes heavy delay fines (up to 10 times the registration fee) due to medical hospitalization during the 4-month presentation period, pay under protest and apply to the IGR under Section 70 for fine remission.

Section 69 All 93 Sections of Registration Act Section 71