Constitution of India, 1949
296.Property accruing by escheat or lapse or
as bona vacantia.-
Subject as hereinafter provided any property
in the territory of India which, if this Constitution had not come into
operation, would have accrued to His Majesty or, as the case may be, to the
Ruler of an Indian State by escheat or lapse, or as bona vacantia for want of a
rightful owner, shall, if it is property situate in a State, vest in such
State, and shall, in any other case, vest in the Union:
Provided that any property which at the date
when it would have so accrued to His Majesty or to the Ruler of an Indian State
was in the possession or under the control of the Government of India or the
Government of a State shall, according as the purposes for which it was then
used or held were purposes of the Union or a State, vest in the Union or in
that State.
Explanation.- In the article, the
expressions "Ruler" and "Indian State" have the same
meanings as in Article 363.