Adnan Sami challenges property confiscated by India

Adnan Sami had acquired eight properties, in 2003, totaling Rs25 million. PHOTOl IANS/FILE

Pakistani singer Adnan Sami on Monday challenged the Indian Enforcement Directorate’s order to confiscate his properties in India.

The Enforcement Directorate had earlier confiscated eight properties and five parking spaces belonging to the singer under the Foreign Exchange Management Act.

In an interview with The Times of India, Sami said that he had filed an application with the Reserve Bank of India and the rejection of the application had not been communicated to him. He said that he had gotten the property officially registered and it had been approved by the government knowing his nationality.

He also said that he had applied for Indian citizenship and was paying taxes to the Indian government from his earnings.

According to Indian law, a foreign national cannot acquire immovable property in India (other than on lease, not exceeding five years).

The Times of India had reported that the singer had acquired eight properties, in 2003, totaling 25 million Indian rupees in a housing society in Andheri, Maharashtra.

The properties have not yet been confiscated and Sami has 45 days to appeal the government’s action.