Maharashtra mulls law enabling asset seizure of corrupt government officials

MUMBAI: Taking cue from other states, the Maharashtra government has decided to enact a law that will empower it to seize properties of those government officials who have been accused of corruption and against whom cases are pending in courts.

During the Question Hour, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the draft of the law has been prepared and sent to the Home Department for consideration and it will be tabled in the winter session of the State Legislature.

The CM was responding to NCP MLC Prakash Binsale, who had questioned the government on the action it had taken on properties of government officials who have been accused of corruption in last few months.

"The new law, that will be on the lines of similar kind of laws in Bihar will give the government rights on properties of those government officials who have been accused of corruption and till the inquiry against them is pending. If the person is found to be not guilty, the properties will be handed back to him. If not, the government will take over his property," the CM said.

Fadnavis said when cases of corruption reach courts, it takes years before a final conclusion is arrived at and in the meantime, those accused manage to get a stay order on their properties that have been seized by the investigation agencies.

"They then sell off their properties and the government gets nothing. The new law will also have provision of using the land seized by the government for the welfare of people," he said.

Fadnavis said the government will also take suggestions from legislators before bringing the law into effect.

While responding to another query, Fadnavis said only certain government officials were earlier required to declare their properties but the new government has issued a government resolution, where it has been made compulsory for all government officials, including those working at local levels like Zilla Parishads and Municipal corporations to declare their properties.

"Still this order is not being implemented properly since the last 2-3 months. So, we will call a meeting of the concerned officials and make sure the GR is implemented properly," Fadnavis said.