Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988,
S.3: Prohibition of benami transactions — Change of law — Rule against retrospectivity —Amendments brought in 2016 introducing expanded definition of “Benami Property” to include proceeds from property held benami, element of Mens Rea and punitive forfeiture in Rem — Amendments brought in 2016 not merely procedural but substantive to have effect only prospectively — Prosecution or confiscation proceedings under amended provisions for transactions entered into prior to coming into force of 2016 amendment act not sustainable – Legislative powers — Validity of provision — Doctrine of manifest arbitrariness- The court left the question of the constitutionality of independent forfeiture proceedings contemplated under the 2016 Amendment Act on other grounds, open to be adjudicated in appropriate proceedings . [ S. 2, 3, 4, 5, 24, 27(3), 27(5), 53, 54, 54A, 67 Art , 14, 20(1) ]
UOI v. Ganpati Dealcom Pvt. Ltd. (2022)447 ITR 108 / 289 Taxman 177 (SC)