Q662. Indian Property rights not lost due to change of citizenship. NRI can open joint Demat

Question: Dear Sir , My brother married Russian girl and settled there . He has taken Russian citizenship.

1. Can he obtain PAN?
2. He is joint holder in many properties- House, Shares,MF- all investment by Our father'
3. I can not get shares dematerialized because he does not have PAN and we cant open joint D Mat account. What can be done? What are his PROPERTY RIGHTS? WARM REGARDS VIVEK MANI TRIPATHI

Answer: Indian citizens by acquiring foreign citizenship do not automatically lose their property rights in India. Your brother: 1. Can apply for and get a PAN Card. 2. Would continue to be owner of his share of any properties of his father. He won’t lose his share simply because he changed his citizenship and married a foreign girl. 3. If you and your brother prefer, your brother can open a joint Demat account. A non-resident and a resident can have a joint Demat account. Speak to your bank and get advice/guidance from them. Regarding your question “What are his PROPERTY RIGHTS?” I would say he retains all the property rights he had prior to his change of citizenship and marriage.