Benami Transactions

Prohibition of Benami Property Transaction Act, 1988, amended by Amendment Act 2016 [ Act No 43/2016]
An Act which prohibits Benami transactions and right to recover property held as Benami by benamidar and also proceeds from the property. This Act, apply to Whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

WHAT IS A BENAMI TRANSACTION?
Benami transaction means; a transaction or an arrangement:-
. where the property is transferred to or held by a person, and consideration for such property has been
   provided or paid by another person.
. the property is held, by a person, for the immediate or future benefit, direct or indirect, of the person who       has provided or paid consideration.
. property is held, carried out or made in a fictitious name.
. where the owner of the property is not aware of, or, denies knowledge of such ownership.
. Where person providing consideration for the property is not traceable or is fictitious.

TRANSACTIONS WHICH ARE NOT TO BE TREATED AS BENAMI
Where property is held by:-

• Karta, or a member of an HUF, as the case may be, and property is held for his benefit or benefit of other members of HUF and consideration for such property has been provided or paid by out of known sources of the HUF.
• a person, on behalf of another person, in a fiduciary capacity and includes a trustee, executor, partner, director of a company etc.
• an individual in the name of his spouse or in the name of any child of such individual and consideration for such property has been provided or paid out the known sources of the individual.

Where property is held by

• any person in joint name(s), where the name of his brother or sister or lineal ascendant or descendant appear in any document, and consideration for such property has been provided or paid out the known sources of the individual.
• any person in part performance of a contract referred to in section 53A of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882,(property held under Power of Attorney,

1. where possession has been provided to a person after providing consideration but the owner of
   property continues to hold ownership of such property;
2. Stamp duty on such transaction has been paid; and
3. The contract has been registered.

WHAT ARE CONSEQUENCES OF BENAMI TRANSACTIONS?

Where person enters into Benami transaction shall be punishable with:-

• Imprisonment: minimum 1 year to 7 years and/or with the fine up to 25% of the fair market value of Benami property.
• Confiscation of Benami property by the central government.
• Prohibition on re-transfer of property by Benamidar to the beneficial owner.