2. Definitions.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,

(a) "Custodian" means the Custodian of Enemy Property for India appointed or deemed to have been appointed under section 3 and includes a Deputy Custodian and an Assistant Custodian of Enemy Property appointed or deemed to have been appointed under that section;

(b) "enemy" or "enemy subject" or "enemy firm" means a person or country who or which was an enemy, 3[an enemy subject including his legal heir and successor whether or not a citizen of India or the citizen of a country which is not an enemy or the enemy, enemy subject or his legal heir and successor who has changed his nationality] or 4[an enemy firm, including its succeeding firm whether or not partners or members of such succeeding firm are citizen of India or the citizen of a country which is not an enemy or such firm which has changed its nationality], as the case may be, under the Defence of India Act, 1962 (51 of 1962), and the Defence of India Rules, 1962 5[or the Defence of India Act, 1971 (42 of 1971) and the Defence of India Rules, 1971], but 6[does not include a citizen of India other than those citizens of India, being the legal heir and successor of the "enemy" or "enemy subject" or "enemy firm"].

7[Explanation 1.

For the purposes of this clause, the expression "does not include a citizen of India" shall exclude and shall always be deemed to have been excluded those citizens of India, who are or have been the legal heir and successor of an "enemy" or an "enemy subject" or an "enemy firm" which or who has ceased to be an enemy due to death, extinction, winding up of business or change of nationality or that the legal heir and successor is a citizen of India or the citizen of a country which is not an enemy.

Explanation 2.

For the purposes of this clause, it is hereby clarified that nothing contained in this Act shall affect any right of the legal heir and successor referred to in this clause (not being inconsistent to the provisions of this Act) which have been conferred upon him under any other law for the time being in force;]

(c) "enemy property" means any property for the time being belonging to or held or managed on behalf of an enemy, an enemy subject or an enemy firm:

1. Ins. by Act 40 of 1977, s. 2 (w.e.f. 27-9-1977).

2. The words "except the State of Jammu and Kashmir" omitted by Act 34 of 2019, s. 95 and the Fifth Schedule (w.e.f. 31-10- 2019).

3. Subs. by Act 3 of 2017, s. 2 "for enemy subject" (w.e.f. 10-7-1968).

4. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for certain words (w.e.f. 10-7-1968).

5. Ins. by Act 40 of 1977, s. 3 (w.e.f. 27-9-1977).

6. Subs. by Act 3 of 2017, s. 2, for certain words (w.e.f. 10-7-1968).

7.Ins. by s. 2, for ibid. (w.e.f. 10-7-1968).

Provided that where an individual enemy subject dies in the territories to which this Act extends, 6[or dies in any territory outside India], any property which immediately before his death, belonged to or was held by him or was managed on his behalf, may, notwithstanding his death, continue to be regarded as enemy property for the purposes of this Act;

1[Explanation 1.

For the purposes of this clause, it is hereby clarified that "enemy property" shall, notwithstanding that the enemy or the enemy subject or the enemy firm has ceased to be an enemy due to death, extinction, winding up of business or change of nationality or that the legal heir and successor is a citizen of India or the citizen of a country which is not an enemy, continue and always be deemed to be continued as an enemy property.

Explanation 2.

For the purposes of this clause, the expression "enemy property" shall mean and include and shall be deemed to have always meant and included all rights, titles and interest in, or any benefit arising out of, such property;]

(d) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act.

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