Section12
The Indian Stamp Act, 1899

Cancellation of adhesive stamps

In force From 01 Jul 1899 Act 2 of 1899 As on 16 Oct 2026

Act 2 of 1899 Ministry Finance Enacted 27 Jan 1899 In force 01 Jul 1899 Cited by 2 provisions

Section 12 of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 deals with cancellation of adhesive stamps. (a) Whoever affixes any adhesive stamp to any instrument chargeable with duty which has been executed by any person shall, when affixing such stamp, cancel the same so that it cannot be used again; The Act came into force on 01 Jul 1899.

(1) (a) Whoever affixes any adhesive stamp to any instrument chargeable with duty which has been executed by any person shall, when affixing such stamp, cancel the same so that it cannot be used again; and

(b) whoever executes any instrument on any paper bearing an adhesive stamp shall, at the time of execution, unless such stamp has been already cancelled in manner aforesaid, cancel the same so that it cannot be used again.

(2) Any instrument bearing an adhesive stamp which has not been cancelled so that it cannot be used again, shall, so far as such stamp is concerned, be deemed to be unstamped.

(3) The person required by sub-section (1) to cancel an adhesive stamp may cancel it by writing on or across the stamp his name or initials or the name or initials of his firm with the true date of his so writing, or in any other effectual manner.

Section 12, The Indian Stamp Act, 1899 (Act 2 of 1899).

Cross-references

Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.

Questions about Section 12

What does Section 12 of the Indian Stamp Act deal with?

Section 12 of the Indian Stamp Act is headed "Cancellation of adhesive stamps". (a) Whoever affixes any adhesive stamp to any instrument chargeable with duty which has been executed by any person shall, when affixing such stamp, cancel the same so that it cannot be used again;

How do I find court cases under Section 12 of the Indian Stamp Act?

In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Stamp Act 12, section 12 Stamp Act, section 12 of the Indian Stamp Act. People searching for it also type indian stamp act class 12. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.

What should I read with Section 12 of the Indian Stamp Act, and has it changed?

2 other provisions in this corpus refer back to it.

When did Section 12 of the Indian Stamp Act come into force?

Section 12 of the Indian Stamp Act, cited as Stamp Act 12, came into force on 01 Jul 1899, having been enacted on 27 Jan 1899. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

Other sections of this Act

Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 16 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.