Everything about Benami Transactions in Real Estate

The Government of India (GoI) has tightened the belts to fight against the issue of Black Money. Several reforms have been introduced lately to nab those who have been channelizing their unaccounted resources through different means. One of the most vital reforms in this series is – The Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Bill, 2015. This bill is the amendment to the original Benami Transactions Law, 1988.


WHAT ARE BENAMI TRANSACTIONS?


Any property transaction in which the property is registered in the name of one person & its consideration/payment is provided by another person. The ‘property’ can be any movable/immovable asset including even gold & financial securities.

The person in whose name the property is registered is termed as ‘Benamidar’. To add to it, a Benamidar may or may not be a real person. It may simply be a fictitious person or a real person unaware of the ownership of the property.  Have a look at the snapshot below for better understanding.



In such cases, directly or indirectly, the real beneficiary is the person making the payment.


EXEMPTIONS FROM BENAMI DEFINITION


GoI has been a bit generous in exempting few cases from the purview of Benami Transaction. These include cases where a property is held by:

  1. A person in the name of his/her immediate family including children & spouse. But the consideration should have been paid by know sources of income of family.
  2. A member of Hindu Undivided Family. Here also the source of income should be known.
  3. A person in the fiduciary capacity for a trust.



AUTHORITIES TO DEAL WITH BENAMI TRANSACTIONS


In the amended bill, a 3-tier structure of authorities has been established to take strict actions against Benami Transactions. These include:

  1. Initiating Officer: Initiates the notice against a person, he believes is a benamidar. He may hold the property for up to 90 days & collect all the related necessary documents/evidence from the benamidar & other sources.
  2. Adjudicating Authority: Based on the documents & evidences collected by the Initiating Officer, the Adjudicating Authority will pass an order whether to confiscate the property or release it.
  3. Appellate Tribunal: Any appeals against the orders of Adjudicating Authority can be made to the Appellate Tribunal. Any appeals against the Appellate Tribunal can be made to the High Court.





PUNISHMENTS FOR BENAMI TRANSACTIONS

  1. Rigorous imprisonment from 1 year to 7 years
  2. Confiscation of the Benami Property
  3. Monitory fine up to 25% of Fair Market Value of the property


CONCLUSIVE THOUGHTS

  • I believe that the introduction of Benami Transactions Amendment Law will have a strong effect on the GoI’s campaign against Black Money
  • But simultaneously, the real estate market will be impacted adversely & the market will be left with fewer buyers
  • There will be reduction in real estate frauds & the sector will become more organized
  • It will be beneficial for Loaning Agencies, as the available properties will be more authentic



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