Team Anna member Shanti Bhushan evaded Rs 1.35 cr stamp duty

LUCKNOW: In a major embarrassment for civil society activst, Team Anna member Shanti Bhushan was found to have evaded stamp duty of Rs 1.35 crore in the purchase of a prime property here and slapped with a fine of over Rs 27 lakh on the outstanding amount.

Assistant stamp commissioner K P Pandey said that Bhushan, a former Union minister, has so far paid Rs 46,700 towards the stamp duty for the purchase of the property spread over 7,818 acres in the posh Civil Lines area. He will have to pay within a month the outstanding amount, in addition to the fine, with 1.5% interest with effect from November 29, 2010.

The entire amount has to be paid within a month, failing which the department will initiate further action, Mr Pandey said. Shanti Bhushan used to stay in the bungalow built on the land till the 1970s.

He, however, did not give up the possession of the property and remained involved in a protracted litigation with the landlord before purchasing the land through an "agreement to sell" in November, 2010. A notice was issued to Bhushan in February, 2011 for alleged evasion of stamp duty.