PolityGovernance
News 9 of 22

Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (FEOA): ED Declares 21 FEOs, Confiscates ₹2,178.34 Cr Assets; Threshold ₹100 Cr

PolityHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
03 May 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:₹2,178.34 crore₹100 crore21 FEOs54 individuals9 individuals in 2025-26
Bodies:Enforcement Directorate (ED)
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.ED's annual report states 21 individuals, including Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya, have been declared Fugitive Economic Offenders (FEOs) under FEOA, with assets worth ₹2,178.34 crore confiscated.

2.The FEOA, 2018, targets individuals accused of scheduled offences involving ₹100 crore or more who flee India to evade prosecution, allowing for confiscation of their properties.

3.For exams, focus on the Act's procedural aspects, the ₹100 crore threshold, the role of the ED and Special Courts (PMLA), and the distinction from other laws like PMLA.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Enforcement Directorate's annual report reveals significant action under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (FEOA), 2018. With 21 individuals declared FEOs and assets worth over ₹2,178 crore confiscated, this news is critical for understanding India's legal framework to tackle high-value economic offenders fleeing prosecution. It connects directly to Polity and Governance syllabus points on special laws and enforcement agencies.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Total FEOs Declared21 individuals
Assets Confiscated₹2,178.34 crore
FEOA Monetary Threshold₹100 crore or more
New FEOs in 2025-269 individuals
Total Proceedings InitiatedAgainst 54 individuals

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Total FEOs Declared: 21 individuals
  • ›Assets Confiscated: ₹2,178.34 crore
  • ›Target this Data: ₹100 crore (monetary threshold for FEOA), ₹2,178.34 crore (assets confiscated), 21 (total FEOs declared).
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Enforcement Directorate (ED) - files application; Special Court (designated under PMLA) - declares FEO.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (FEOA), 2018 - definition of FEO, procedure, and powers of confiscation.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Under which ministry does the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the agency enforcing the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, function?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (FEOA):

1. An individual can be declared a Fugitive Economic Offender only if the scheduled offence involves a value of ₹500 crore or more.

2. The application to declare a person an FEO is filed by the Enforcement Directorate before a Special Court designated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

3. Once declared an FEO, a person is barred from filing or defending any civil claim in India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the Enforcement Directorate's annual report cited in the article, what is the total value of assets confiscated under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act to date?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary objective of declaring an individual a Fugitive Economic Offender under the FEOA?

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