Supreme Court of India

District Registrar and Collector, Hyderabad v Canara Bank

(2005) 1 SCC 49620041 min read
The case in brief30-second read
Facts
Andhra Pradesh amended S.73 of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 to allow any person authorised by the Collector to inspect, seize and impound documents in the custody of any public officer or person, including banks.
Issue
Whether the amendment violated the right to privacy of bank customers and Article 14.
Held
The amendment was struck down. Documents a customer gives to a bank remain confidential, and the State can get access only with reasonable cause and adequate safeguards. Unguided delegation to "any person" was arbitrary.
Principle
Bank customers have a privacy interest in documents held by banks; State access needs reasonable cause and safeguards.
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Facts

  • Andhra Pradesh amended S.73 of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 to allow any person authorised by the Collector to inspect, seize and impound documents in the custody of any public officer or person, including banks.

Issue

  1. Whether the amendment violated the right to privacy of bank customers and Article 14.

Held

  • The amendment was struck down. Documents a customer gives to a bank remain confidential, and the State can get access only with reasonable cause and adequate safeguards. Unguided delegation to "any person" was arbitrary.

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Citation

District Registrar and Collector, Hyderabad v Canara Bank (2005) 1 SCC 496

Reported: https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1068532/. This is an educational summary, not the judgment itself. Cite the reported version in professional or academic work.