Search and seizure

Section 8 of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 deals with search and seizure. Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, where the Director or any other officer not below the rank of Deputy Director authorised by him for the purposes of this section, on the basis of information in his possession, has reason to believe (the reason for such The Act came into force on 21 Apr 2018.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, where the Director or any other officer not below the rank of Deputy Director authorised by him for the purposes of this section, on the basis of information in his possession, has reason to believe (the reason for such belief to be recorded in writing) that any person—

(i) may be declared as a fugitive economic offender;

(ii) is in possession of any proceeds of crime;

(iii) is in possession of any records which may relate to proceeds of crime; or

(iv) is in possession of any property related to proceeds of crime,

then, subject to any rules made in this behalf, he may authorise any officer subordinate to him to—

(a) enter and search any building, place, vessel, vehicle or aircraft where he has reason to suspect that such records or proceeds of crime are kept;

(b) break open the lock of any door, box, locker, safe, almirah or other receptacle for exercising the powers conferred by clause (a) where the keys thereof are not available;

(c) seize any record or property found as a result of such search;

(d) place marks of identification on such record or property, if required or make or cause to be made extracts or copies therefrom;

(e) make a note or an inventory of such record or property; and

(f) examine on oath any person, who is found to be in possession or control of any record or property, in respect of all matters relevant for the purposes of any investigation under this Act.

(2) Where an authority, upon information obtained during survey under section 7, is satisfied that any evidence shall be or is likely to be concealed or tampered with, he may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, enter and search the building or place where such evidence is located and seize that evidence.

Section 8, The Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 (Act 17 of 2018).