The Forfeited Deposits Act, 1850

The Forfeited Deposits Act, 1850

The Forfeited Deposits Act, 1850 was enacted to address the issue of patnidar fraudulently taking advantage of a provision in Regulation 8, 1819, of the Bengal Code. The law aimed to prevent such fraud by forfeiting deposits made on incomplete sales of land. Under this act, any forfeited deposit would be applied to defray expenses related to the sale, with any surplus being forfeited to the government.

The Act has undergone several amendments and repeals. It was initially declared in force in various districts, including Hazaribagh, Ranchi, Palamu, and Manbhum, among others. The act also repealed certain provisions of other regulations and laws, including the Bengal Patni Taluks Regulations, 1819.

The Forfeited Deposits Act, 1850 has been an important piece of legislation in the history of Indian law, aiming to prevent fraud and ensure that deposits made on incomplete sales are used for their intended purpose. Its provisions have had a lasting impact on the administration of land sales in Bengal.