2. Definitions.—In this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires,—
(a) “recipient” means a person as defined in clause (31) of section 2 of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(43 of 1961) who receives any remittance under this Chapter;
(b) “remittance” means remittance made in foreign exchange by any person resident outside India
to a person resident in India on or after the date of commencement of this Act but before the specified
date, in the form of draft, traveller’s cheques, cheques drawn on banks situated outside India
telegraphic transfers, mail transfers, money orders or by way of transfer from Non-resident (External)
Account, Foreign Currency Non-resident Account or Foreign Currency Non-resident Special Deposit
Account maintained in India under the rules made under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973
(46 of 1973).
Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause, “specified date” means the 1st day of December,
1991 or such other later date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,
specify in this behalf;
(c) all other words and expressions used in this Chapter but not defined and defined in the
Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973 (46 of 1973) shall have the meanings respectively assigned
to them in that Act.
3. Immunities.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in
force,—
(a) no recipient, who claims immunity under this Chapter in accordance with such scheme as the
Reserve Bank of India may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify for the purposes of
receiving remittances under this Chapter, shall be required to disclose, for any purpose whatsoever,
the nature and source of the remittance made to him;
(b) no inquiry or investigation shall be commenced against the recipient under any such law on
the ground that he has received such remittance;
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(c) the fact that the recipient has received a remittance shall not be taken into account and shall be
inadmissible as evidence in any proceedings relating to any offence or the imposition of any penalty
under any such law.
(2) Nothing in sub-section (1) shall apply—
(a) to any foreign exchange which is required to be brought into India under any of the provisions
of—
(i) the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973 (46 of 1973); or
(ii) the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961), read with the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act,
1973 (46 of 1973),
if the period within which such foreign exchange is to be brought into India has not expired or where such
period has been extended, in any manner, by the Central Government or the Reserve Bank of India or any
other authority, such extended period has not expired on the date of commencement of this Act;
(b) in relation to prosecution for any offence punishable under Chapter IX or Chapter XVII of the
Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985
(61 of 1985), the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1987 (28 of 1987), the
Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (49 of 1988)or for the purpose of enforcement of any civil
liability.
(3) The Central Government shall cause the scheme notified under clause (a) of sub-section (1) to be
laid, as soon as may be after it is notified, before each House of Parliament.
4. Remittances not to be taken into account in certain cases.—Without prejudice to the generality
of the provisions of section 3,—
(a) any remittance received under this Chapter shall not be taken into account for the purpose of
any proceeding under the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961) and, in particular, the recipient shall not
be entitled to claim any set-off or relief in any assessment, re-assessment, appeal, reference or other
proceeding under that Act or to re-open any assessment or re-assessment made under that Act on the
ground that he has received such remittance.
Explanation.—For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that the provisions of the
Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961) will apply to any income which accrues or arises or is deemed to
accrue or arise to the recipient from the amount of the remittance;
(b) any remittance received under this Chapter shall not form part of the assets of any assessee for
the purposes of computing his net wealth under the Wealth-tax Act, 1957 (27 of 1957) in relation to
any assessment year commencing before the 1st day of April, 1992.