Provisions of Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance, 1944 to apply to attachment under this Act

Q: When did Section 18A of the Prevention of Corruption Act come into force?

Section 18A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, cited as PC Act 18A, came into force on 09 Sep 1988, having been enacted on 09 Sep 1988. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

In force From 09 Sep 1988 Act 49 of 1988 As on 15 Oct 2026

Act 49 of 1988 Ministry Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Enacted 09 Sep 1988 In force 09 Sep 1988

Section 18A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 deals with provisions of Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance, 1944 to apply to attachment under this Act. Save as otherwise provided under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (15 of 2003), the provisions of the Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance, 1944 (Ord. The Act came into force on 09 Sep 1988.

¹[18A. Provisions of Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance, 1944 to apply to attachment under this Act.-- (1) Save as otherwise provided under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (15 of 2003), the provisions of the Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance, 1944 (Ord. 38 of 1944) shall, as far as may be, apply to the attachment, administration of attached property and execution of order of attachment or confiscation of money or property procured by means of an offence under this Act.
(2) For the purposes of this Act, the provisions of the Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance, 1944 (Ord. 38 of 1944) shall have effect, subject to the modification that the references to "District Judge" shall be construed as references to "Special Judge".]
Section 18A, The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Act 49 of 1988).

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.

Ratan Babulal Lath vs The State of Karnataka

Supreme Court of India 06 Sep 2021 Binding (SC)

Court's Decision & Legal Precedent

When the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 is the applicable substantive law in a case, the freezing or attachment of a person's bank account cannot be sustained under Section 102 Cr.P.C. The Prevention of Corruption Act is a Code by itself with its own procedures for asset attachment, and these procedures must be followed rather than invoking the general provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code. The respondent cannot retroactively validate an improperly executed freezing order by subsequently filing an application under Section 18A of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

On this section: The Court noted that the respondent was in the process of filing an application under Section 18A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. This section appears to be the proper legal mechanism for seeking authorization to freeze assets in corruption cases, rather than Section 102 Cr.P.C.

Read the full order on eCourts India

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.

Questions about Section 18A

What have the courts held on Section 18A of the Prevention of Corruption Act?

Ratan Babulal Lath vs The State of Karnataka (06 Sep 2021) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: The Court noted that the respondent was in the process of filing an application under Section 18A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. This section appears to be the proper legal mechanism for seeking authorization to freeze assets in corruption cases, rather than Section 102 Cr.P.C.

How do I find court cases under Section 18A of the Prevention of Corruption 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: PC Act 18A, section 18A PC Act, section 18A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Ratan Babulal Lath vs The State of Karnataka (06 Sep 2021).

When did Section 18A of the Prevention of Corruption Act come into force?

Section 18A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, cited as PC Act 18A, came into force on 09 Sep 1988, having been enacted on 09 Sep 1988. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

Other sections of this Act

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.