41. Continuance of association.—An association shall not be deemed to have ceased to exist by
reason only of any formal act of its dissolution or change of name but shall be deemed to continue so long
as any actual combination for the purposes of such association continues between any members thereof.
42. Power to delegate.—The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct
that all or any of the powers which may be exercised by it under section 7, or section 8, or both, shall, in
such circumstances and under such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the notification, be exercised
also by any State Government and the State Government may, with the previous approval of the Central
Government, by order in writing, direct that any power which has been directed to be exercised by it
shall, in such circumstances and under such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the direction, be
exercised by any person subordinate to the State Government as may be specified therein.
43. Officers competent to investigate offences under Chapters IV and VI.—Notwithstanding
anything contained in the Code, no police officer,—
(a) in the case of the Delhi Special Police Establishment, constituted under sub-section (1) of
section 2 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 (25 of 1946), below the rank of a
Deputy Superintendent of Police or a police officer of equivalent rank;
(b) in the metropolitan areas of Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Ahmedabad and any other
metropolitan area notified as such under sub-section (1) of section 8 of the Code, below the rank of an
Assistant Commissioner of Police;
2
[(ba) in the case of National Investigation Agency, below the rank of Inspector];
(c) in any case not relatable to clause (a) 2
[or clause (ba)], below the rank of a Deputy
Superintendent of Police or a police officer of an equivalent rank,
Shall investigate any offence punishable under Chapter IV or VI.
3
[43A. Power to arrest, search, etc.—Any officer of the Designated Authority empowered in this
behalf, by general or special order of the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may
be, knowing of a design to commit any offence under this Act or has reason to believe from personal
knowledge or information given by any person and taken in writing that any person has committed an
offence punishable under this Act or from any document, article or any other thing which may furnish
evidence of the commission of such offence or from any illegally acquired property or any document or
other article which may furnish evidence of holding any illegally acquired property which is liable for
seizure or freezing or forfeiture under this Chapter is kept or concealed in any building, conveyance or
1. Subs. by Act 3 of 2013, s. 13, for the Explanation (w.e.f. 1-2-2013).
2. Ins. by Act 28 of 2019, s. 8 (w.e.f. 14-8-2019).
3. Ins. by Act 35 of 2008, s. 12 (w.e.f. 31-12-2008).
21
place, may authorise any officer subordinate to him to arrest such a person or search such building,
conveyance or place whether by day or by night or himself arrest such a person or search a such building,
conveyance or place.
43B. Procedure of arrest, seizure, etc.—(1) Any officer arresting a person under section 43A shall,
as soon as may be, inform him of the grounds for such arrest.
(2) Every person arrested and article seized under section 43A shall be forwarded without
unnecessary delay to the officer-in-charge of the nearest police station.
(3) The authority or officer to whom any person or article is forwarded under sub-section (2) shall,
with all convenient dispatch, take such measures as may be necessary in accordance with the provisions
of the Code.
43C. Application of provisions of Code.—The provisions of the Code shall apply, insofar as they
are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, to all arrests, searches and seizures made under this
Act.
43D. Modified application of certain provisions of the Code.—(1) Notwithstanding anything
contained in the Code or any other law, every offence punishable under this Act shall be deemed to be a
cognizable offence within the meaning of clause (c) of section 2 of the Code, and “cognizable case” as
defined in that clause shall be construed accordingly.
(2) Section 167 of the Code shall apply in relation to a case involving an offence punishable under
this Act subject to the modification that in sub-section (2),—
(a) the references to “fifteen days”, “ninety days” and “sixty days”, wherever they occur, shall be
construed as references to “thirty days”, “ninety days” and “ninety days” respectively; and
(b) after the proviso, the following provisos shall be inserted, namely:—
“Provided further that if it is not possible to complete the investigation within the said period
of ninety days, the Court may if it is satisfied with the report of the Public Prosecutor indicating
the progress of the investigation and the specific reasons for the detention of the accused beyond
the said period of ninety days, extend the said period up to one hundred and eighty days:
Provided also that if the police officer making the investigation under this Act, requests, for
the purposes of investigation, for police custody from judicial custody of any person in judicial
custody, he shall file an affidavit stating the reasons for doing so and shall also explain the delay,
if any, for requesting such police custody.
(3) Section 268 of the Code shall apply in relation to a case involving an offence punishable under
this Act subject to the modification that—
(a) the reference in sub-section (1) thereof—
(i) to “the State Government” shall be construed as a reference to “the Central Government or
the State Government.”;
(ii) to “order of the State Government” shall be construed as a reference to “order of the
Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be”; and
(b) the reference in sub-section (2) thereof, to “the State Government” shall be construed as a
reference to “the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be”.
(4) Nothing in section 438 of the Code shall apply in relation to any case involving the arrest of any
person accused of having committed an offence punishable under this Act.
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code, no person accused of an offence punishable
under Chapters IV and VI of this Act shall, if in custody, be released on bail or on his own bond unless
the Public Prosecutor has been given an opportunity of being heard on the application for such release:
22
Provided that such accused person shall not be released on bail or on his own bond if the Court, on a
perusal of the case diary or the report made under section 173 of the Code is of the opinion that there are
reasonable grounds for believing that the accusation against such person is prima facie true.
(6) The restrictions on granting of bail specified in sub-section (5) is in addition to the restrictions
under the Code or any other law for the time being in force on granting of bail.
(7) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sections (5) and (6), no bail shall be granted to a
person accused of an offence punishable under this Act, if he is not an Indian citizen and has entered the
country unauthorisedly or illegally except in very exceptional circumstances and for reasons to be
recorded in writing.
43E. Presumption as to offence under section 15.—In a prosecution for an offence under
section 15, if it is proved—
(a) that the arms or explosives or any other substances specified in the said section were
recovered from the possession of the accused and there is reason to believe that such arms or
explosives or other substances of a similar nature were used in the commission of such offence; or
(b) that by the evidence of the expert the finger-prints of the accused or any other definitive
evidence suggesting the involvement of the accused in the offence were found at the site of the
offence or on anything including arms and vehicles used in connection with the commission of such
offence,
the Court shall presume, unless the contrary is shown, that the accused has committed such offence.
43F. Obligation to furnish information.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law,
the officer investigating any offence under this Act, with the prior approval in writing of an officer not
below the rank of a Superintendent of Police, may require any officer or authority of the Central
Government or a State Government or a local authority or a bank, or a company, or a firm or any other
institution, establishment, organisation or any individual to furnish information in his or its possession in
relation to such offence, on points or matters, where the investigating officer has reason to believe that
such information will be useful for, or relevant to, the purposes of this Act.
(2) The failure to furnish the information called for under sub-section (1), or deliberately furnishing
false information shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or
with fine or with both.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code, an offence under sub-section (2) shall be tried as
a summary case and the procedure prescribed in Chapter XXI of the said Code [except sub-section (2) of
section 262] shall be applicable thereto.]
44. Protection of witnesses.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code, the proceedings
under this Act may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, be held in camera if the court so desires.
(2) A court, if on an application made by a witness in any proceeding before it or by the Public
Prosecutor in relation to such witness or on its own motion, is satisfied that the life of such witness is in
danger, it may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, take such measures as it deems fit for keeping the
identity and address of such witness secret.
(3) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-section (2), the
measures which a court may take under that sub-section may include—
(a) the holding of the proceedings at a place to be decided by the court;
(b) the avoiding of the mention of the name and address of the witness in its orders or judgments
or in any records of the case accessible to public;
(c) the issuing of any directions for securing that the identity and address of the witness are not
disclosed;
(d) a decision that it is in the public interest to order that all or any of the proceedings pending
before such a court shall not be published in any manner.
23
(4) Any person who contravenes any decision or direction issued under sub-section (3), shall be
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine.
45. Cognizance of offences.—1
[(1)] No court shall take cognizance of any offence—
(i) under Chapter III without the previous sanction of the Central Government or any officer
authorised by the Central Government in this behalf;
(ii) under Chapter IV and VI without the previous sanction of the Central Government or, as the
case may be, the State Government, and 2
[if] such offence is committed against the Government of a
foreign country without the previous sanction of the Central Government.
3
[(2) Sanction for prosecution under sub-section (1) shall be given within such time as may be
prescribed only after considering the report of such authority appointed by the Central Government or, as
the case may be, the State Government which shall make an independent review of the evidence gathered
in the course of investigation and make a recommendation, within such time as may be prescribed, to the
Central Government or, as the case may be, the State Government.]
46. Admissibility of evidence collected through the interception of communications.—
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872) or any other law for the
time being in force, the evidence collected through the interception of wire, electronic or oral
communication under the provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (13 of 1885) or the Information
Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000) or any other law for the time being in force, shall be admissible as
evidence against the accused in the court during the trial of a case:
Provided that the contents of any wire, electronic or oral communication intercepted or evidence
derived therefrom shall not be received in evidence or otherwise disclosed in any trial, hearing or other
proceeding in any court unless each accused has been furnished with a copy of the order of the competent
authority under the aforesaid law, under which the interception was directed, not less than ten days before
trial, hearing or proceeding:
Provided further that the period of ten days may be waived by the judge trying the matter, if he comes
to the conclusion that it was not possible to furnish the accused with such order ten days before the trial,
hearing or proceeding and that the accused shall not be prejudiced by the delay in receiving such order.
47. Bar of jurisdiction.—(1) Save as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, no proceeding taken
under this Act by the Central Government or the District Magistrate or any officer authorised in this
behalf by the Central Government or the District Magistrate, shall be called in question in any civil court
in any suit or application or by way of appeal or revision, and no injunction shall be granted by any civil
court or other authority in respect of any action taken or to be taken in pursuance of any power conferred
by or under this Act.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), no civil court or other authority shall have,
or be entitled to exercise, any jurisdiction, powers or authority in relation to the matters referred to in
section 36.
48. Effect of Act and rules, etc., inconsistent with other enactments.—The provisions of this Act
or any rule or order made thereunder shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith
contained in any enactment other than this Act or any instrument having effect by virtue of any enactment
other than this Act.
49. Protection of action taken in good faith.—No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall
lie against—
(a) the Central Government or a State Government or any officer or authority of the Central
Government or State Government or District Magistrate or any officer authorised in this behalf by the
Government or the District Magistrate or any other authority on whom powers have been conferred
1. Section 45 renumbered as sub-section (1) thereof by Act 35 of 2008, s. 13 (w.e.f. 31-12-2008).
2. Subs. by Act 28 of 2019, s. 9 for “where” (w.e.f. 14-8-2019).
3. Ins. by Act 35 of 2008, s. 13 (w.e.f. 31-12-2008).
24
under this Act, for anything which is in good faith done or purported to be done in pursuance of this
Act or any rule or order made thereunder; and
(b) any serving or retired member of the armed forces or para-military forces in respect of any
action taken or purported to be taken by him in good faith, in the course of any operation directed
towards combating terrorism.
50. Saving.—Nothing in this Act shall affect the jurisdiction exercisable by, or the procedure
applicable to, any court or other authority under any law relating to the navy, army or air force or other
armed forces of the Union.
51. Impounding of passport and arms licence of person charge sheeted under the Act.—
Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the passport and the
arms licence of a person, who is charge-sheeted for having committed any offence under this Act, shall be
deemed to have been impounded for such period as the court may deem fit.
1
[51A. Certain powers of the Central Government.—For the prevention of, and for coping with
terrorist activities, the Central Government shall have power to—
(a) freeze, seize or attach funds and other financial assets or economic resources held by, on
behalf of or at the direction of the individuals or entities listed in the Schedule to the Order, or any
other person engaged in or suspected to be engaged in terrorism;
(b) prohibit any individual or entity from making any funds, financial assets or economic
resources or related services available for the benefit of the individuals or entities listed in the
Schedule to the Order or any other person engaged in or suspected to be engaged in terrorism;
(c) prevent the entry into or the transit through India of individuals listed in the Schedule to the
Order or any other person engaged in or suspected to be engaged in terrorism.]
52. Power to make rules.—(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,
make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers, such rules may
provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—
(a) the service of notices or orders issued or made under this Act and the manner in which such
notices or orders may be served, where the person to be served is a corporation, company, bank or
other association;
(b) the procedure to be followed by the Tribunal or a District Judge in holding any inquiry or
disposing of any application under this Act;
(c) determination of the price of the forfeited property under sub-section (2) of section 28;
(d) the procedure for admission and disposal of an application under sub-section (3) of section 36;
(e) the qualifications of the members of the Review Committee under sub-section (2) of section
37; and
2
[(ee) the time within which sanction for prosecution and recommendation to the Central
Government shall be given under sub-section (2) of section 45, and]
(f) any other matter which is required to be, or may be, prescribed.
53. Orders and rules to be laid before both Houses of Parliament.—3
[(1)] Every order and every
rule made by the Central Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made,
before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be
comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session
immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any
1. Ins. by Act 35 of 2008, s. 14 (w.e.f. 31-12-2008).
2. Ins. by s. 15, ibid., (w.e.f. 31-12-2008).
3. Section 53 renumbered as sub-section (1) thereof by s. 16, ibid. (w.e.f. 31-12-2008).
25
modification in the order or rule or both Houses agree that the order or rule should not be made, the order
or rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so,
however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything
previously done under that order or rule.
1
[(2) The Order referred to in entry 33 of the Schedule and every amendment made to that Order shall
be laid as soon as may be after it is made before each House of Parliament while it is in session for a total
period of 30 days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions.]