Overview And Critical Analysis Of The Fugitive Economic Offender Act, 2018

Harshit Mangla, L.L.M (Criminal and Security Law), Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University

ABSTRACT

The Fugitive Economic Offenders Act 2018 aims to dissuade and interdict the alleged economic offenders from evading the process of law by fleeing the jurisdiction of the Indian courts. The regime of the act provides for scheduled offences where the total value involved is rupees 100 crore or more. The special court designated for the purpose along with the stringent provisions of this act provides speedy action in form of declaration as fugitive economic offender, attachment of property, search and seizure which the traditional legislations and age-old procedures were not able to offer. Such economic offences can tumble down the already shaky pillar of the Indian economy where the divide between rich and poor has widened to an alarming level. The stringent provisions which this act provides, including confiscation and selling of accused property even before conclusion of the trial may prima facie seem draconian, but are actually need of the hour to retain trust of the common man in the Indian Government and Justice delivery system. Robust implementation is the key to regain the faith of the general public and exemplary deterrence is required to be exhibited to curb these economic offences.