What court fee do I pay for a civil suit in Siliguri under the state court fees act?

Detailed Legal Analysis

The court fee payable for a civil suit in Siliguri is determined by West Bengal Premises Tenancy Act 1997, which prescribes ad valorem and fixed fees based on the nature and value of the suit. For a suit for recovery of money, the fee is calculated on the amount claimed, while suits for possession of immovable property attract an ad valorem fee on the market value of the property.

The Calcutta High Court has held that under-payment of court fee is a curable defect but the plaintiff must pay the deficit before the suit can proceed, and delay may attract interest on the deficit. Suits covered by the exemption list, such as those filed by indigent persons, are exempt under West Bengal Premises Tenancy Act 1997 subject to verification of the claim.

Verify the fee with the court's filing section before submission, as an incorrect fee leads to return of the plaint and loss of limitation.