The Punjab cabinet on Friday gave its nod for enactment of 'Punjab Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property Act, 2017' to enable attachment, seizure and forfeiture of properties of drug offenders.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh here on Friday.
Giving details of the proposed legislation, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said it would empower officers to attach, seize or forfeit properties as part of the ongoing war against drugs initiated by the state government.
"It would enable them to crack down on properties acquired through illicit trafficking of narcotics drugs, smuggling and trade of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), 1985," the spokesperson said.
Under the draft legislation, prepared in consultation with the Punjab Director General of Police, the accused drug offender will not be able to alienate their property following the registration of the case under NDPS Act.
Confiscation or forfeiture of the property will take place only after final conviction. Property older than six years at the time of the registration of the case will not be attached or confiscated under the provisions of the new Act.
--IANS
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