Top News
LS takes up Bill to deter fugitive economic offenders (Lead)
New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) The Lok Sabha on Thursday took up a bill that provides for measures to deter fugitive economic offenders from evading prosecution by staying outside the jurisdiction of Indian courts.
Taking part in the discussion on The Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018, BJP’s Nishikant Dubey blamed the previous Congress-led UPA government for the rise in non-performing assets of banks.
Opposition parties, however, termed the Bill as “eyewash”, saying the government wanted to be seen to be taking action in various cases involving Lalit Modi, Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, all of whom are living outside the country.
Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) member N.K. Premchandran, who had on Wednesday moved a statutory resolution, said he supported the intent behind the Bill, but the government should not have resorted to an ordinance, he said.
He said the bill was introduced in the Budget session of Parliament and efforts should have been made to pass it in that session.
Congress member Shashi Tharoor said the Bill was poorly drafted and would not withstand judicial scrutiny.
He questioned the logic behind the provision putting the minimum value of offence before the special court at Rs 100 crore. He said the threshold should be removed.
“This (the Bill) will not survive a constitutional test. It has been brought purely for optics and to play to the gallery. It suffers major lacunae. Any Bill we pass should be legally sound. It is too serious an issue to become another jumla,” he said.
Tharoor said the government should also review its extradition process with other countries.
Nationalist Congress Party member Supriya Sule said there was a provision of confiscation of property in the Criminal Procedure Code also. She said the banking system should improve. There was a need to look into problems of employees who worked in companies floated by the fugitive offenders.
Kalyan Banejree of Trinamool Congress termed the Bill as “eyewash” and said it had some provisions which could be misused.
BJP’s Nishikant Dubey said bank NPAs had gone up as some high-value loans were given during the UPA rule without adequate scrutiny.
According to the Bill, a person can be declared as a fugitive economic offender (FEO) if an arrest warrant is issued against him for any specified offences involving over Rs 100 crore and he has left the country and refuses to return to face prosecution.
To declare a person an FEO, an application will be filed in a Special Court designated under the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002.
The Bill provides for confiscation of any FEO’s property bought from the proceeds of crime as also his other assets, benami or otherwise.
–IANS
Ps/prs/sed
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
Cheers and Cheers: Barzilla’s Joyful Ode to Inclusivity and Celebration
Casino Days Reveal Internal Data on Most Popular Smartphones
Meghalaya Reserves Legalized Gambling and Sports Betting for Tourists
IPL 20202 UPDATE: KXIP vs MI IPL Dream11 Team Prediction for Today Match, Update Point Table of all Team.
In a Live debate AAP leader Syed Asad Abbas hurls abuses to BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
‘India’s Most Wanted’ trailer out Arjun Kapoor on hunt of Osama-Bin-Laden
Time to move on: Sonakshi on Shatrughan’s joining Congress
