District Magistrates to Manage Enemy Property as Deputy Custodians, Says Govt

In a significant move, the Centre announced on Thursday that district magistrates across all states and Union territories will now serve as ex-officio deputy custodians of enemy property within their respective districts. This decision, aimed at streamlining the management of such properties, mandates these officials to perform their duties in accordance with the Enemy Property Act. The Union Home Ministry's notification further detailed that sub-divisional magistrates or equivalent positions will take on the role of ex-officio assistant custodians for their specific sub-divisions.

The notification also outlined the responsibilities of tehsildars or equivalent officials, who will act as ex-officio inspectors of enemy property in their respective tehsils. In a special mention, the additional district magistrate revenue of the central district in the National Capital Territory of Delhi has been designated as the ex-officio deputy custodian for the area. Moreover, deputy secretaries stationed in the branch offices of the custodian of enemy property in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Lucknow are appointed as ex-officio deputy custodians for their regions.

All appointed officials are to operate under the guidance and supervision of the Custodian of Enemy Property for India while fulfilling their duties under the Enemy Property Act, 1968. This act was introduced three years post the India-Pakistan War of 1965, with the aim to regulate assets left behind by individuals who migrated to Pakistan or China and acquired citizenship there, primarily between 1947 and 1962. These assets, termed as enemy property, have been entrusted to the Custodian of Enemy Property for India, an entity established by the central government.

The country currently houses a total of 12,611 establishments classified as enemy property. The collective value of these properties is estimated to be over Rs 1 lakh crore. This recent directive from the Centre is expected to enhance the administration and oversight of these significant assets.