16. Power of survey.—

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provisions of this Act,  where an authority, on the basis of material in his possession, has reason to believe (the reasons for such  belief to be recorded in writing) that an offence under section 3 has been committed, he may enter any  place— 

(i) within the limits of the area assigned to him; or 

(ii) in respect of which he is authorised for the purposes of this section by such other authority,  who is assigned the area within which such place is situated, at which any act constituting the commission of such offence is carried on, and may require any  proprietor, employee or any other person who may at that time and place be attending in any manner to,  or helping in, such act so as to,— 

(i) afford him the necessary facility to inspect such records as he may require and which may be  available at such place; 

(ii) afford him the necessary facility to check or verify the proceeds of crime or any transaction  related to proceeds of crime which may be found therein; and 

(iii) furnish such information as he may require as to any matter which may be useful for, or  relevant to, any proceedings under this Act. 

Explanation—

For the purposes of this sub-section, a place, where an act which constitutes the  commission of the offence is carried on, shall also include any other place, whether any activity is carried  on therein or not, in which the person carrying on such activity states that any of his records or any part of  his property relating to such act are or is kept. 

(2) The authority referred to in sub-section (1) shall, after entering any place referred to in that  sub-section immediately after completion of survey, forward a copy of the reasons so recorded along with  material in his possession, referred to in that sub-section, to the Adjudicating Authority in a sealed  envelope, in the manner as may be prescribed and such Adjudicating Authority shall keep such reasons  and material for such period as may be prescribed. 

(3) An authority acting under this section may— 

(i) place marks of identification on the records inspected by him and make or cause to be made  extracts or copies there from, 

(ii) make an inventory of any property checked or verified by him, and 

(iii) record the statement of any person present in the place which may be useful for, or relevant  to, any proceeding under this Act. 

17. Search and seizure.—

(1) Where 1[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) has committed any act which constitutes money-laundering, or 

(ii) is in possession of any proceeds of crime involved in money-laundering, or 

(iii) is in possession of any records relating to money-laundering,1[or] 

1[(iv) is in possession of any property related to crime,] 

then, subject to the 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 1[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; 

(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* * * * * 

3[(1A) Where it is not practicable to seize such record or property, the officer authorised under  sub-section (1), may make an order to freeze such property whereupon the property shall not be  transferred or otherwise dealt with, except with the prior permission of the officer making such order, and  a copy of such order shall be served on the person concerned: 

Provided that if, at any time before its confiscation under sub-section (5) or sub-section (7) of section  8 or section 58B or sub-section (2A) of section 60, it becomes practical to seize a frozen property, the  officer authorised under sub-section (1) may seize such property.] 

(2) The authority, who has been authorised under sub-section (1) shall, immediately after search and  seizure 3[or upon issuance of a freezing order], forward a copy of the reasons so recorded along with  material in his possession, referred to in that sub-section, to the Adjudicating Authority in a sealed  envelope, in the manner, as may be prescribed and such Adjudicating Authority shall keep such reasons  and material for such period, as may be prescribed. 

(3) Where an authority, upon information obtained during survey under section 16, 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:  

Provided that no authorisation referred to in sub-section (1) shall be required for search under this  sub-section. 

4[(4) The authority seizing any record or property under sub-section (1) or freezing any record or property under sub-section (1A) shall, within a period of thirty days from such seizure or freezing, as the  case may be, file an application, requesting for retention of such record or property seized under  sub-section (1) or for continuation of the order of freezing served under sub-section (1A), before the  Adjudicating Authority.

1. Subs. by Act 21 of 2009, s. 7, for “the Director” (w.e.f. 1-6-2009).

1. Ins. by Act 2 of 2013, s. 14 (w.e.f. 15-2-2013). 2. The Proviso omitted by Act 23 of 2019, s. 197 (w.e.f. 1-8-2019). 3. Ins. by Act 2 of 2013, s. 14 (w.e.f. 15-2-3013). 4. Subs. by s. 14, ibid., for sub-section (4) (w.e.f. 15-2-2013).

18. Search of persons.—

(1) If an authority, authorised in this behalf by the Central Government by  general or special order, has reason to believe (the reason for such belief to be recorded in writing) that  any person has secreted about his person or in anything under his possession, ownership or control, any  record or proceeds of crime which may be useful for or relevant to any proceedings under this Act, he  may search that person and seize such record or property which may be useful for or relevant to any  proceedings under this Act: 

1* * * * * 

(2) The authority, who has been authorised under sub-section (1) shall, immediately after search and  seizure, forward a copy of the reasons so recorded along with material in his possession, referred to in that  sub-section, to the Adjudicating Authority in a sealed envelope, in the manner, as may be prescribed and  such Adjudicating Authority shall keep such reasons and material for such period, as may be prescribed. 

(3) Where an authority is about to search any person, he shall, if such person so requires, take such  person within twenty-four hours to the nearest Gazetted Officer, superior in rank to him, or a Magistrate:  

Provided that the period of twenty-four hours shall exclude the time necessary for the journey  undertaken to take such person to the nearest Gazetted Officer, superior in rank to him, or Magistrate’s  Court. 

(4) If the requisition under sub-section (3) is made, the authority shall not detain the person for more  than twenty-four hours prior to taking him before the Gazetted Officer, superior in rank to him, or the  Magistrate referred to in that sub-section: 

Provided that the period of twenty-four hours shall exclude the time necessary for the journey from  the place of detention to the office of the Gazetted Officer, superior in rank to him, or the Magistrate’s  Court. 

(5) The Gazetted Officer or the Magistrate before whom any such person is brought shall, if he sees  no reasonable ground for search, forthwith discharge such person but otherwise shall direct that search be  made. 

(6) Before making the search under sub-section (1) or sub-section (5), the authority shall call upon  two or more persons to attend and witness the search, and the search shall be made in the presence of such  persons. 

(7) The authority shall prepare a list of record or property seized in the course of the search and obtain  the signatures of the witnesses on the list. 

(8) No female shall be searched by any one except a female. 

(9) The authority shall record the statement of the person searched under sub-section (1) or  sub-section (5) in respect of the records or proceeds of crime found or seized in the course of the search: 2* * * * * 

(10) The authority, seizing any record or property under sub-section (1) shall, within a period of thirty  days from such seizure, file an application requesting for retention of such record or property, before the  Adjudicating Authority.

1. The proviso omitted by Act 23 of 2019, s. 198 (w.e.f. 1-8-2019). 2. The proviso omitted by Act 21 of 2009 s. 8 (w.e.f. 1-6-2009).

19. Power to arrest.—

(1) If the Director, Deputy Director, Assistant Director or any other officer  authorised in this behalf by the Central Government by general or special order, has on the basis of  material in his possession, reason to believe (the reason for such belief to be recorded in writing) that any  person has been guilty of an offence punishable under this Act, he may arrest such person and shall, as  soon as may be, inform him of the grounds for such arrest. 

(2) The Director, Deputy Director, Assistant Director or any other officer shall, immediately after  arrest of such person under sub-section (1), forward a copy of the order along with the material in his  possession, referred to in that sub-section, to the Adjudicating Authority in a sealed envelope, in the  manner, as may be prescribed and such Adjudicating Authority shall keep such order and material for  such period, as may be prescribed. 

(3) Every person arrested under sub-section (1) shall, within twenty-four hours, be taken to a 1[Special Court or] Judicial Magistrate or a Metropolitan Magistrate, as the case may be, having  jurisdiction:  

Provided that the period of twenty-four hours shall exclude the time necessary for the journey from  the place of arrest to the 2[Special Court or] Magistrate’s Court. 

1. Ins. by Act 13 of 2018, s. 208 (w.e.f. 19-4-2018).

2[20.Retention of property.—

(1) Where any property has been seized under section 17 or section 18  or frozen under sub-section (1A) of section 17 and the officer authorised by the Director in this behalf has,  on the basis of material in his possession, reason to believe (the reason for such belief to be recorded by  him in writing) that such property is required to be retained for the purposes of adjudication under section  8, such property may, if seized, be retained or if frozen, may continue to remain frozen, for a period not  exceeding one hundred and eighty days from the day on which such property was seized or frozen, as the  case may be. 

(2) The officer authorised by the Director shall, immediately after he has passed an order for retention  or continuation of freezing of the property for purposes of adjudication under section 8, forward a copy of  the order along with the material in his possession, referred to in sub-section (1), to the Adjudicating  Authority, in a sealed envelope, in the manner as may be prescribed and such Adjudicating Authority  shall keep such order and material for such period as may be prescribed. 

(3) On the expiry of the period specified in sub-section (1), the property shall be returned to the  person from whom such property was seized or whose property was ordered to be frozen unless the  Adjudicating Authority permits retention or continuation of freezing of such property beyond the said  period. 

(4) The Adjudicating Authority, before authorising the retention or continuation of freezing of such property beyond the period specified in sub-section (1), shall satisfy himself that the property is prima  facie involved in money-laundering and the property is required for the purposes of adjudication under  section 8. 

(5) After passing the order of confiscation under sub-section (5) or sub-section (7) of section 8,  3[Special Court], shall direct the release of all property other than the property involved in  money-laundering to the person from whom such property was seized or the persons entitled to receive it. 

(6) Where an order releasing the property has been made by the 4[Special Court] under sub-section  (6) of section 8 or by the Adjudicating Authority under section 58B or sub-section (2A) of section 60, the  Director or any officer authorised by him in this behalf may withhold the release of any such property for  a period of ninety days from the date of 5[receipt of] such order, if he is of the opinion that such property  is relevant for the appeal proceedings under this Act. 

2. Subs. by Act 2 of 2013, s.16, for sections 20 and 21 (w.e.f. 15-2-2013). 3. Subs. by Act 20 of 2015, s. 148, for “the Court or the Adjudicating Authority, as the case may be” (w.e.f. 14-5-2015). 4. Subs. by s. 148, ibid., for “Court” (w.e.f. 14-5-2015). 5. Ins. by s. 148, ibid. (w.e.f. 14-5-2015).

21. Retention of records.—

(1) Where any records have been seized, under section 17 or section 18  or frozen under sub-section (1A) of section 17 and the Investigating Officer or any other officer  authorised by the Director in this behalf has reason to believe that any of such records are required to be  retained for any inquiry under this Act, such records may if seized, be retained or if frozen, may continue to remain frozen, for a period not exceeding one hundred and eighty days from the day on which such  records were seized or frozen, as the case may be. 

(2) The person, from whom records seized or frozen, shall be entitled to obtain copies of records. 

(3) On the expiry of the period specified under sub-section (1), the records shall be returned to the  person from whom such records were seized or whose records were ordered to be frozen unless the  Adjudicating Authority permits retention or continuation of freezing of such records beyond the said  period. 

(4) The Adjudicating Authority, before authorising the retention or continuation of freezing of such  records beyond the period specified in sub-section (1), shall satisfy himself that the records are required  for the purposes of adjudication under section 8. 

(5) After passing of an order of confiscation 1[or release under sub-section (5) or sub-section (6) or  sub-section (7) of section 8 or section 58B or sub-section (2A) of section 60], the Adjudicating Authority  shall direct the release of the records to the person from whom such records were seized. 

(6) Where an order releasing the records has been made by the Court 2[Adjudicating Authority under  sub-section (5) of section 21], the Director or any other officer authorised by him in this behalf may  withhold the release of any such record for a period of ninety days from the date of 3[receipt of] such  order, if he is of the opinion that such record is relevant for the appeal proceedings under this Act.] 

1. Subs. by Act 20 of 2015, s. 149, for “under sub-section (5) or sub-section (7) of section 8” (w.e.f. 14-5-2015). 2. Subs. by s. 149, ibid., for certain words, brackets, figures and letters (w.e.f. 14-5-2015). 3. Ins. by s. 149, ibid. (w.e.f. 14-5-2015).

22. Presumption as to records or property in certain cases.—

(1) Where any records or property  are or is found in the possession or control of any person in the course of a survey or a search4[or where  any record or property is produced by any person or has been resumed or seized from the custody or  control of any person or has been frozen under this Act or under any other law for the time being in  force,] it shall be presumed that— 

(i) such records or property belong or belongs to such person; 

(ii) the contents of such records are true; and 

(iii) the signature and every other part of such records which purport to be in the handwriting of  any particular person or which may reasonably be assumed to have been signed by, or to be in the  handwriting of, any particular person, are in that person’s handwriting, and in the case of a record,  stamped, executed or attested, that it was executed or attested by the person by whom it purports to  have been so stamped, executed or attested. 

(2) Where any records have been received from any place outside India, duly authenticated by such  authority or person and in such manner as may be prescribed, in the course of proceedings under this Act,  the Special Court, the Appellate Tribunal or the Adjudicating Authority, as the case may be, shall— 

(a) presume, that the signature and every other part of such record which purports to be in the  handwriting of any particular person or which the court may reasonably assume to have been signed  by, or to be in the handwriting of, any particular person, is in that person’s handwriting; and in the  case of a record executed or attested, that it was executed or attested by the person by whom it  purports to have been so executed or attested; 

(b) admit the document in evidence, notwithstanding that it is not duly stamped, if such document  is otherwise admissible in evidence. 

4. Ins. by Act 2 of 2013, s.17 (w.e.f. 15-2-2013).

 

23. Presumption in inter-connected transactions.—

Where money-laundering involves two or more  inter-connected transactions and one or more such transactions is or are proved to be involved in  money-laundering, then for the purposes of adjudication or confiscation 1[under section 8 or for the trial  of the money-laundering offence, it shall unless otherwise proved to the satisfaction of the Adjudicating  Authority or the Special Court], be presumed that the remaining transactions from part of such inter connected transactions. 

1. Subs. by Act 2 of 2013, s.18, for certain words and figure (w.e.f. 15-2-2013).

2[24. Burden of proof.—

In any proceeding relating to proceeds of crime under this Act,— 

(a) in the case of a person charged with the offence of money-laundering under section 3, the  Authority or Court shall, unless the contrary is proved, presume that such proceeds of crime are  involved in money-laundering; and 

(b) in the case of any other person the Authority or Court, may presume that such proceeds of  crime are involved in money-laundering.

2. . Subs. by s.19, ibid., for section 24 (w.e.f. 15-2-2013).