Enemy Property Bill passed in Lok Sabha; Rajya Sabha had already passed the bill. The Lok Sabha passed the Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation)Bill,2016.
The Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha earlier with some amendments.
The amendments to the Bill were moved by Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the House. The Bill will replace the ordinance promulgated by the government. It guards against claims of succession or transfer of properties left by people who migrated to Pakistan and China after wars.
The Bill amends the Enemy Property Act, 1968, to vest all rights, titles and interests over enemy property in the Custodian. It also declares transfer of enemy property by the enemy, conducted under the Act, to be void.
As per the amendments, once an enemy property is vested in the Custodian, it shall continue to be vested in him as enemy property irrespective of whether the enemy, enemy subject or enemy firm has ceased to be an enemy due to reasons such as death.
The amendments are aimed at plugging the loopholes in the Act to ensure that the enemy properties that have been vested in the Custodian remain so and do not revert to the enemy subject or enemy firm.
Participating in the discussion in Lok Sabha Home Minsiter Rajnath Singh said the bill is not against natural justice.