The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to promulgate Fugitive Economic Offenders Ordinance 2018 that provides for confiscating properties and assets of economic offenders who taken a loan from banks but took a flight to abroad without any repayment.
It provides for confiscating assets even without conviction and paying off lenders by selling off the fugitive's properties.
Such economic offenders will be tried under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
According to the ordinance, a director or deputy director (appointed under the PMLA, 2002) may file an application before a special court (designated under the 2002 Act) to declare a person as a fugitive economic offender.
Appeals against the orders of the special court will lie before the High Court.