Indian Stamp Act, 1899
52. Allowance for misused stamps
(a) When any person has inadvertently used for an instrument chargeable
with duty, a stamp of a description other than that prescribed for such
instrument by the rules made under this Act, or a stamp of greater value than
was necessary or has inadvertently used any stamp for an instrument not
chargeable with any duty; or
(b) When any stamp used for an instrument has been inadvertently
rendered useless under section 15, owing to such instrument having been written
in contravention of the provisions of section 13, the Collector may, on application
made within six months after the date of the instrument, or, if it is not
dated, within six months after the execution thereof by the person by whom it
was first or alone executed, and upon the instrument, if chargeable with duty,
being re-stamped with the proper duty, cancel and allow as spoiled the stamp so
misused or rendered useless.