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JHARKHAND BANNING OF UNREGULATED DEPOSIT SCHEMES RULES, 2022

JHARKHAND BANNING OF UNREGULATED DEPOSIT SCHEMES RULES, 2022

JHARKHAND BANNING OF UNREGULATED DEPOSIT SCHEMES RULES, 2022

 

PREAMBLE

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 38(1) of the Banning of unregulated Deposit Schemes Act, 2019 (21 of 2019), the Jharkhand Government herby makes the following rules, namely:-

Rule - 1. Short title, extent and commencement.

(1)     These rules may be called the "Jharkhand Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Rules, 2022".

(2)     It shall extend to the whole of the state of Jharkhand.

(3)     These rules shall come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

Rule - 2. Definitions.

(1)     In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires:-

(a)      "Act" means the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act, 2019(21 of 2019);

(b)      "Application" means an application filed by the Competent Authority under section 14 of the Act,

(c)      "Competent Authority" means an authority appointed by the Government under section 7of the Act;

(d)      "Designated Court" means a Designated Court constituted by the Government under section 8 of the Act;

(e)      "Government" means the Government of Jharkhand.

(2)     The words and expressions used herein and not defined but defined in the Act Shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Act;

Rule - 3. Information and particulars to be considered.

The information and particulars which the competent Authority shall consider for provisionally attaching the property of the deposit taker shall include, namely:-

(a)      Any complaint against the promotion or operation of an Unregulated Deposit Scheme, whether the complainant is a depositor in the said unregulated Deposit Scheme or not;

(b)      Any information received from the Central Government, or any State Government or Union territory Administrations, or any law enforcement authority or agency or body under the charge of such Government or Administrations regarding the promotion or operation of an Unregulated Deposit Scheme ;

(c)      Information of any advertisement, whether in print or electronic media or both, inducing another person to invest in, or become a member or participant of any Unregulated Deposit Scheme; and

(d)      Any other information that the competent Authority has, that a deposit taker is soliciting or accepting deposits in contravention of the provisions of the Act.

Rule - 4. Procedure for Attachment.

(1)     If the Competent Authority or an Officer appointed to assist the Competent Authority is satisfied that the facts of the case necessitate identification of the properties or assets acquired either in the name of the deposit taker or in the name of any other person on behalf of the deposit taker, the Competent Authority or the officer appointed to assist the Competent Authority, may procure such details from Police authorities utilizing the provisions of sub-section (1) of Section 31 or any other authority as deemed fit or from public through a public notification seeking the details of properties or assets.

(2)     Where the information is sought from the public through the public notification specified in sub-rule (1) of this rule, an advertisement may be released in two prominent local newspapers within a period of fifteen days of receipt of report from the Police Authorities informing that a prima facie case exist.

(3)     If the Competent Authority, after collecting additional information, is of the opinion that some additional properties of the deposit taker require to be attached, it may do so in accordance with Section 7 of the Act.

Rule - 5. Authorization for search and seizure.

For the purpose of an investigation into any offence under the Act, the officer-in-charge of a police station may give written authorisation of search and seizure for the following, namely:-

(a)      any record, whether physical or electronic, which is used, intended to be used, or suspected to be used, in connection with the promotion or operation of an Unregulated Deposit Scheme;

(b)      any books of account maintained in connection with an Unregulated Deposit Scheme:

(c)      any deposits acquired or suspected to be acquired in connection with the promotion or operation of an Unregulated Deposit Scheme;

(d)      any valuable securities maintained or suspected to be maintained in connection with the promotion or operation of an Unregulated Deposit Scheme;

(e)      record of any property, whether movable or immovable, acquired either in the name of the deposit taker or in the name of any other person on behalf of the deposit taker, which is suspected to be acquired in connection with an Unregulated Deposit Scheme;

(f)       record of any account with a bank or financial or market establishment, which is suspected to be used in connection with an Unregulated Deposit Scheme; and

(g)      any other thing which is suspected to be used in connection with an Unregulated Deposit Scheme.

Rule - 6. Power to seize properties.

Where the Competent Authority or any officer is satisfied or has reason to believe that any property which is liable to be attached under the Act is likely to be concealed, transferred or dealt in any manner which will result in defeating the purpose of the Act, it may direct the police officer to seize such property or where it is not practicable to seize such property make any order to freeze such property and it shall not be transferred or otherwise disposed of or dealt with.

Rule - 7. Impounding and retention of records.

(1)     The person from whose custody records are impounded under sub-section (8) of section 7 of the Act may make copies thereof, or take extracts there from, in the presence of an officer authorized by the Competent Authority, at such place and time as the Competent Authority may appoint in his behalf.

(2)     The officer appointed under sub-section (2) of section 7 shall retain such records in his custody without taking approval from the Competent Authority, for a period up to three months, and if the records are necessary to be retained beyond the said period, approval of the Competent Authority shall be required.

(3)     If the person from whose custody records are impounded objects for any reason to the records being impounded, he may make an application to the Competent Authority stating therein the reasons for such objection and requesting for the return of the records, and the Competent Authority may, after giving the applicant an opportunity of being heard, pass such orders as he thinks fit.

(4)     The officer shall ensure the safe custody of the records impounded and retained in his custody.

Rule - 8. Powers vested while conducting investigation or inquiry.

(1)     Unless and otherwise felt essential, to conduct investigation or inquiry under subsection (4) of section 7, while conducting investigation or inquiry, the following notices may be issued by the Competent Authority, namely

(i)           Notice for initiation of action in Form A;

(ii)         Notice for additional information, if any, required in Form B;

(iii)       Final notice for personal attendance of deposit taker or other persons and witnesses in Form C.

(2)     The Order of Provisional attachment shall contain to the extent possible the following:

(i)           Details of Complaint;

(ii)         Details of the Deposit Taker or Financial entity;

(iii)       Inquiry report from the Police

(iv)       Report received from Competent Authority of other states

(v)        Complaints received from public;

(vi)       Details of the Proceedings, reasons for attaching such properties, effective date of attachment

(vii)     Copies of the Notices issued or served and delivery proof, if any;

(viii)   Summary of the findings;

(ix)       Details of property attached, bank account numbers, amount attached, securities including shares and bonds, attached movable property, approximate value of such property, and in case of immovable property the extent of land, survey numbers and boundaries of such property and name of the title holder of such property; and

(x)        Conclusion; and

(xi)       Evidences (attach the evidences or proof).

(3)     The proceedings of the Competent Authority shall record the proceedings under sub section (4) of section 7 and shall follow due process of law diligently.

Rule - 9. Application for confirmation of provisional attachment.

The Competent Authority shall file an application before the Designated Court for making the provisional attachment absolute, containing the following particulars, namely:-

(a)      A complete list of the property, money or deposits attached;

(b)      In case of immoveable property, the name or name and particulars of the owner of the property, any person who claims to be in possession of the property, and any other person who has an interest in the said property;

(c)      The record of the provisionally attached property specified in sub-rule (6) or rule 4 and the valuation report, if any, specified in sub-rule (8) of rule 4;

(d)      A list of the depositors from whom the deposit taker has accepted or collected deposits; and

(e)      A list of dues owed to depositors including amounts that may be realised from sale of any attached property of the deposit taker.

Rule - 10. Power of Government to empanel agencies for forensic or digital audit, valuation or sale of assets

(1)     The Government shall empanel and notify the list of,-

(a)      Agencies for valuation of assets and for assisting in selling of assets to prospective buyers; and

(b)      Forensic auditors and digital auditors for audit of money trail.

(2)     The Competent Authority shall utilise the services of such agencies and auditors for valuation of assets, for selling of assets and for forensic and digital audit of money trail.

(3)     The Competent Authority may also utilize the services of Forensic Auditors or Digital Auditors empanelled by the Indian Banks' Association, for Audit of Money trail till the State empanels such agencies, wherever felt required.

Rule - 11. Valuation reports to be obtained while releasing properties attached

The Designated Court while according permission to deposit the fair value of the property in lieu of the attachment under sub-section (1) of Section 17 may obtain valuation reports from at least two empanelled valuers while releasing properties

Rule - 12. Procedure to be adopted by Designated Court.

(1)     The Designated Court may regulate its own procedure and shall be guided by the principles of natural justice and the procedure contained in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908

(2)     The designated Court shall-

(a)      Consider the objections to the show cause notice issued under sub-section (1) or subsection (2) of section 15 of the Act.

(b)      Hear the aggrieved person and the Competent Authority or advocates representing these parties, and

(c)      Take into account all relevant materials placed on record before it.

Rule - 13. Powers relating to absconding persons.

Where the Competent Authority or the Officer appointed to assist the Competent Authority is satisfied or has reason to believe that a person in respect to whom action is contemplated under the Act has absconded or is concealing himself, the Competent Authority or the Officers appointed to assist the Competent Authority shall make a report in writing to the Designated Court for further course of action.

Rule - 14. Power to appoint legal practitioner and others.

The Competent Authority or an officer appointed to assist the Competent Authority shall be entitled to use the services of the Department of Prosecution, legal practitioners or chartered accountants or any other persons whose services are necessary for possession and realisation of the assets in question

Rule - 15. Manner of provisional attachment and administration of provisionally attached property.

(1)     A copy of the order of provisional attachment shall be served on the owner of the property, or any person who claims to be in possession of the property or any other person who has an interest in the said property.

(2)     The order of provisional attachment shall be published in a leading newspaper (both in vernacular and in English) having wide circulation in the area or jurisdiction in which the deposit taker is located.

(3)     Where the Competent Authority is not able to serve the order of provisional attachment to a person specified in sub-rule (1), then such person shall be deemed to be served the order by the publication of the order in the manner provided under sub- rule (2)

(4)     The Competent Authority shall take possession of the immoveable property by affixing the order of provisional attachment at a conspicuous place of such immoveable property.

(5)     Where the property to be attached is a moveable property, the Competent Authority shall take actual physical possession of such property and retain it in his custody or the custody of any other officer appointed to assist him.

(6)     The Competent Authority shall maintain a record of the property provisionally attached which shall include details of any expenditure incurred or any costs of management of the property and of any income received from the property

(7)     The Competent Authority shall assess the assets and the liabilities of the deposit taker and prepare a complete record of depositors from whom the deposit taker has collected deposits pursuant to an Unregulated Deposit Scheme.

(8)     The Competent Authority may appoint a valuer for the purposes of assessing the assets and liabilities of the deposit taker sub-rule (7).

(9)     Where any property of which possession has been taken is of a perishable nature, the Competent Authority may sell the same keeping in mind the best interest of the depositors.

(10)   The details and proceeds of the sale under sub-rule (9) shall be entered separately by the Competent Authority and maintained in the record as specified in sub-rule (6).

Rule - 16. Retraction of advertisement.

(1)     The Government shall direct the owner of any newspaper or other publication of any nature either in print or in electronic form, to publish a full and fair retraction, unequivocally withdrawing any offer, promotion or inducement made earlier in any advertisement, statement or information to any person to become a member of any Unregulated Deposit Scheme.

(2)     The retraction shall be as prominent as the original advertisement, statement or information and be in such a format and font that immediately catches the attention of any reader or recipient.

(3)     The retraction shall be published free of cost within two days from the date of the direction of the Government.

(4)     Where the Government is of the view that the retraction published has not sufficiently engaged the attention of the readers of the newspaper or such other publication, that Government may direct re-publication of the retraction.

Rule - 17. Savings.

All acts done in pursuance with the provisions of the Jharkhand Protection of Interest of Depositors (in Financial Establishments), Act, 2011 and the Jharkhand Protection of Interest of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Rules 2015 therein in good faith since coming into force of this rules shall not be invalidated by reasons of the fact that this Act was not in force at that material point of time.


FORM A

(See rule 4)

Notice for initiation of action

To

____________________

____________________

Sir/Madam,

Sub: M/s.

Based on the information or reports received it is prima facie apparent that the subject financial entity or deposit taker is involved in the act which are cognizable under the provisions of Section 3 of the Act.

The Competent Authority or the Officers appointed to assist the Competent Authority are under Sub-Section (3) and (4) of the Section 7 of the Act have the same power as vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 while conducting investigation or inquiry in respect of the unauthorised deposit schemes or defaults under the deposit schemes in contravention of Section 3 or 4.

In exercise of the powers under the Act the following is ordered:

In connection with the subject, you are required to submit the following:

(a)      Details of financial entity, registration of the entity, permissions to accept deposits from regulators if any, including unique identification number or Registration and PAN numbers.

(b)      Details of the Promoters, Managing Directors, Directors, Partners, Management persons etc., including unique identification number or Registration and PAN numbers.

(c)      Latest audited Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss accounts filed.

(d)      Details of the Regulator and the copy of registration certificates, permissions to undertake the activity of deposit taking.

(e)      Produce full details of the Schemes of Deposits under which deposits are being collected from public.

(f)       Lost of the Depositors along with Deposit accepted, Rate of interest, Maturity Date, terms of repayment of interest and principle, any other promises or assurances or commissions payable etc.

(g)      Details of defaults if any in repayment of Deposit or any specified service promised against such deposit along with date of default.

(h)     Total amount in default and number of depositors affected, if any

(i)       Reasons for default if any

(j)       Steps taken or proposed to repay the amount in default

(k)      Details of the Bank accounts of the financial entity with latest balance in the accounts.

You are hereby required to submit the full details listed above and duly attested, to my office on _____________________ at _________________ either in person or through representative duly authorised in writing in this behalf or produce or cause to be produced at the said time any documents, accounts and any other evidence you may rely in support of the activity or the acts in the matter.

In case you fail to comply with the orders of the under signed, it will be deemed that you have nothing to say in the matter and action under the appropriate provisions of the Act will be initiated. Failure to be present at the hearing granted, or failure to present evidence can result in a Best Judgment Assessment or an ex-parte order.

(Note:* Strike whichever is not applicable)

Your faithfully,

Date:


FORM B

(See rule 4)

Notice for additional information

To

____________________

____________________

Sir/Madam,

Sub: M/s

Ref: Notice in Form - A Date: ________________

Based on the information or reports received it is prima facie apparent that the subject financial entity or deposit taker is involved in the Act which are cognizable under the provisions of Section 3 of the Act.

The Competent Authority or the Officers appointed to assist the Competent Authority are under Sub Section (3) and (4) of the Section 7 of the Act have the same power as vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 while conducting investigation or inquiry in respect of the unauthorised deposit schemes or defaults under the deposit schemes in under Section 3 of the Act. In exercise of the powers under the Act the following is ordered:

(A)     Certain further details or clarification or additional information listed here below are required in connection with the Deposit Scheme* or Chit funds Scheme* or Default in repayment* or Deposit or any specified service promised against such deposit on which I would call for additional information, under the deposit scheme/s by the financial entity which please furnish immediately.

i

ii

iii

iv

(B)     You are hereby required to attend my office on _______________ at ________________ either in person or through representative duly authorised in writing in this behalf or produce or cause to be produced at the said time any documents, accounts and any other evidence you may rely in support of the activity or the acts in the matter.

(C)     In case you fail to comply with the orders of the under signed, it will be deemed that you have nothing to say in the matter and action under the appropriate provisions of the Act will be initiated. Failure to be present at the hearing granted, or failure to present evidence can result in a Best Judgment Assessment or an ex-parte order.

(Note:* Strike whichever is not applicable)

Your faithfully,

Date:


FORM C

(See rule 4)

Notice for additional information

To

____________________

____________________

____________________

Sir/Madam,

Sub: M/s

Ref: Notice in Form - A dated: _______________

Notice in Form - B dated: _______________

Based on the information or reports received it is prima facie apparent that the subject financial entity or deposit taker is involved in the act which are cognizable under the provisions of Section 3 of the Act.

The Competent Authority or the Officers appointed to assist the Competent Authority are under Sub Section (3) and (4) of the Section 7 of the Act have the same power as vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 while conducting investigation or inquiry in respect of the unauthorised deposit schemes or defaults under the deposit schemes in under Section 3 of the Act. In exercise of the powers under the Act the following is ordered:

(A)     As per Notice in Form A calling details and documents No _________ dated _______________you were asked to submit the details and documents but you have failed to submit the details and document called for and/or

(B)     As per Notice in Form B you were asked to furnish certain additional documents or details and also to attend my office on _______________ at ________________ either in person or through representative duly authorised in writing on his/her behalf or produce or cause to be produced at the said time any documents, accounts and any other evidence you may rely in support of the activity or the acts in the matter, but you have failed to appear before me along with the details and documents filed for.

(C)     In view of the your not complying with the orders of the under signed, a final opportunity is given to you to submit the details and document called for and/or appear before me along with the details and document called for on _____________ at ______________ failing which it will be deemed that you have nothing to say in the matter and action under the appropriate provisions of the Act will be initiated. Failure to be present at the hearing granted, or failure to present evidence can result in a Best Judgment Assessment or an ex-parte order.

(Note:* Strike whichever is not applicable)

Your faithfully,

Date:

By Order and etc.......................................


FORM D

(See rule 7)

INTIMATION TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE AUTHORITY

1.

Name of deposit taker

2.

Registered address of the deposit taker

3.

Address of branches of the deposit taker (if any)

4.

Unique Identification No. of Registration/Incorporation under applicable law.

5.

Authority to carry on deposit taking

6.

Name and address of persons responsible for the management of the deposit taker (CEO and Directors/Partners, Proprietors/Board).

7.

PAN number of the deposit taker

I solemnly affirm to the best of my knowledge and belief that the information given in this Form is correct, and that nothing material has been concealed there from.

Date

Place :

Authorised Signatory