Indian govt to take over unclaimed valuables sent from Pakistan in 1961

India’s home ministry says Indian govt can now dispose of valuables in a manner 'it deems fit'

India’s Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to take over all unclaimed valuables and other articles that were left behind in Pakistan by people who migrated to India in 1947, Indian paper The Economic Times reported on Monday.

The valuables were sent from Pakistan to India in sealed packets in 1961 and placed in the Reserve Bank of India’s custody in New Delhi.

“The said property shall now be vested in the Government of India for all intents and purposes. Therefore, the Central Government is now competent to dispose of the contents in these boxes in such manner as it deems fit," India’s home ministry said in a statement on February 20, 2015.

The statement also said that a “major portion” of the valuables was restored to their original owners.

People who migrated from Pakistan to India, or vice versa, in 1947 had left behind valuables in their bank lockers on both sides. Both countries signed an agreement to return contents of these lockers to their rightful owners in 1950.

While some valuables remained unclaimed, some could not be returned because of lack of satisfactory proof of ownership.