BNSS 120 — Forfeiture of property in certain cases.

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Statutory text

(1) The Court may, after considering the explanation,
if any, to the show-cause notice issued under section 119 and the material available before it and after giving
to the person affected (and in a case where the person affected holds any property specified in the notice
through  any  other  person,  to  such  other  person  also) a  reasonable  opportunity  of being  heard,  by  order,
record a finding whether all or any of the properties in question are proceeds of crime:
Provided that if the person affected (and in a case where the person affected holds any property specified
in the notice through any other person such other person also) does not appear before the Court or represent
his case before it within a period of thirty days specified in the show-cause notice, the Court may proceed
to record a finding under this sub-section ex parte on the basis of evidence available before it.
(2)  Where  the  Court is  satisfied  that some  of  the  properties referred  to  in the show-cause  notice  are
proceeds of crime but it is not possible to identify specifically such properties, then, it shall be lawful for
the Court to specify the properties which, to the best of its judgment, are proceeds of crime and record a
finding accordingly under sub-section (1).
(3) Where the Court records a finding under this section to the effect that any property is proceeds of
crime, such property shall stand forfeited to the Central Government free from all encumbrances.
(4) Where any shares in a company stand forfeited to the Central Government under this section, then,
the  company shall, notwithstanding anything contained in the  Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013) or the
Articles of Association of the company, forthwith register the Central Government as the transferee of such
shares.

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