Definitions
Section 2 of the Enemy Property Act, 1968 deals with definitions. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, (a) "Custodian" means the Custodian of Enemy Property for India appointed or deemed to have been appointed under section 3 and includes a Deputy Custodian and an Assistant Custodian of Enemy Property appointed or deemed to have been appointed under The Act came into force on 10 Jul 1968.
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,
(a) "Custodian" means the Custodian of Enemy Property for India appointed or deemed to have been appointed under section 3 and includes a Deputy Custodian and an Assistant Custodian of Enemy Property appointed or deemed to have been appointed under that section;
(b) "enemy" or "enemy subject" or "enemy firm" means a person or country who or which was an enemy, 1[an enemy subject including his legal heir and successor whether or not a citizen of India or the citizen of a country which is not an enemy or the enemy, enemy subject or his legal heir and successor who has changed his nationality] or 2[an enemy firm, including its succeeding firm whether or not partners or members of such succeeding firm are citizen of India or the citizen of a country which is not an enemy or such firm which has changed its nationality], as the case may be, under the Defence of India Act, 1962 (51 of 1962), and the Defence of India Rules, 1962 3[or the Defence of India Act, 1971 (42 of 1971) and the Defence of India Rules, 1971], but 4[does not include a citizen of India other than those citizens of India, being the legal heir and successor of the "enemy" or "enemy subject" or "enemy firm--].
5[Explanation 1.--For the purposes of this clause, the expression "does not include a citizen of India" shall exclude and shall always be deemed to have been excluded those citizens of India, who are or have been the legal heir and successor of an "enemy" or an "enemy subject" or an "enemy firm" which or who has ceased to be an enemy due to death, extinction, winding up of business or change of nationality or that the legal heir and successor is a citizen of India or the citizen of a country which is not an enemy.
Explanation 2.--For the purposes of this clause, it is hereby clarified that nothing contained in this Act shall affect any right of the legal heir and successor referred to in this clause (not being inconsistent to the provisions of this Act) which have been conferred upon him under any other law for the time being in force;]
(c) "enemy property" means any property for the time being belonging to or held or managed on behalf of an enemy, an enemy subject or an enemy firm:
Provided that where an individual enemy subject dies in the territories to which this Act extends, 5[or dies in any territory outside India], any property which immediately before his death, belonged to or was held by him or was managed on his behalf, may, notwithstanding his death, continue to be regarded as enemy property for the purposes of this Act;
6[Explanation 1.--For the purposes of this clause, it is hereby clarified that "enemy property" shall, notwithstanding that the enemy or the enemy subject or the enemy firm has ceased to be an enemy due to death, extinction, winding up of business or change of nationality or that the legal heir and successor is a citizen of India or the citizen of a country which is not an enemy, continue and always be deemed to be continued as an enemy property.
Explanation 2.--For the purposes of this clause, the expression "enemy property" shall mean and include and shall be deemed to have always meant and included all rights, titles and interest in, or any benefit arising out of, such property;]
(d) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act.
Section 2, The Enemy Property Act, 1968 (Act 34 of 1968).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
This section refers to
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Union of India v. Raja Mohammed Amir Mohammad Khan
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
Judgment order-16.pdf 2005-10-21 DATE VERIFIED (get_order_ai_analysis). Reportable SC: Enemy Property Act — s.2(b)/(c) Indian-citizen heir is not an enemy; property inherited by an Indian citizen ceases to be enemy property; Custodian vesting under ss.6/8 is limited to possession/management/control not title; Court may order return (s.18 context). Map 2, 8, 18. Prefer this merits Judgment over later IA order-47.pdf (2010).
On this section: Enemy Property Act s.2 definitions: Indian-citizen heir is not an 'enemy'; property inherited by an Indian citizen ceases to be 'enemy property' (UOI v. Raja Amir, SC).
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C.K. Saidali v. Custodian of Enemy Property for India
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
Final Order order-1.pdf 2022-01-14 DATE VERIFIED (markdown in case brief). Kerala HC (Devan Ramachandran J.): Custodian declaration of 'enemy property' set aside where alleged migration/enemy status inconclusive and property had changed hands by lease/mortgage/sale before alleged migration — mere original ownership by a relative does not make property 'enemy property' under the Act. Teaching HC companion on s.2 enemy-property definition. Map Enemy Property s.2 only.
On this section: Enemy Property Act s.2: Kerala HC companion — Custodian 'enemy property' declaration set aside where enemy status/migration inconclusive and property had already changed hands (C.K. Saidali).
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Made under this section, and citing it
1 instrument names this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.
Questions about Section 2
What have the courts held on Section 2 of the Enemy Property Act?
Union of India v. Raja Mohammed Amir Mohammad Khan (21 Oct 2005) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Enemy Property Act s.2 definitions: Indian-citizen heir is not an 'enemy'; property inherited by an Indian citizen ceases to be 'enemy property' (UOI v. Raja Amir, SC). Another 1 judgment on this section is set out below, 1 of them from the Supreme Court. They run from 2005 to 2022.
How do I find court cases under Section 2 of the Enemy Property Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Enemy Property Act 1968 2, section 2 Enemy Property Act 1968, section 2 of the Enemy Property Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 2 reported judgments on this section are set out on this page, beginning with Union of India v. Raja Mohammed Amir Mohammad Khan (21 Oct 2005).
What should I read with Section 2 of the Enemy Property Act, and has it changed?
Its own text turns on section 3 (Appointment of custodian of Enemy property for India and Deputy custodian, etc), so none of them can safely be read on its own. 1 other provision in this corpus refers back to it. One instrument names it without being made under it, most recently Enemy Property (Amendment) Rules, 2018, Transfer of Proepry (Vested as Enemy Proeprty in the Custodian) Order, 2018 and Guidelines for Disposal of Enemy Proeprty Order, 2018 (2018).
When did Section 2 of the Enemy Property Act come into force?
Section 2 of the Enemy Property Act, cited as Enemy Property Act 1968 2, came into force on 10 Jul 1968, having been enacted on 20 Aug 1968. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 8A. Sale of Property by Custodian430 words
- 8. Powers of Custodian In respect of enemy property vested in him387 words
- 22A. Validation366 words
- 17. Levy of fees325 words
- 7. Payment to Custodian of money otherwise payable to an enemy, enemy subject or enemy firm279 words
- 11. Power of Custodian to summon persons and call for documents264 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.