INDIAN
SUCCESSION ACT, 1925
Preamble
1 - INDIAN SUCCESSION ACT, 1925
THE
INDIAN SUCCESSION ACT, 1925[1]
[Act
No. 39 of 1925]
[30th
September, 1925]
PREAMBLE
An
Act to consolidate the law applicable to intestate and testamentary
succession [2][*
* *].
Whereas it is expedient to consolidate
the law applicable to intestate and testamentary succession [3][*
* *].
It is hereby enacted as follows:-
Section 1 - Short title
This
Act may be called the Indian Succession Act, 1925.
Section 2 - Definitions
In
this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,-
(a) "administrator"
means a person appointed by competent authority to administer the estate of a
deceased person when there is no executor;
(b) "codicil"
means an instrument made in relation to a Will, and explaining, altering or
adding to its dispositions, and shall be deemed to form part of the Will;
(c) [4]["District Judge" means the
Judge of a Principal Civil Court of original jurisdiction;]
(d) "executor"
means a person to whom the execution of the last Will of a deceased person is,
by the testator's appointment, confided;
(e) [5]["India" means the territory
of India excluding the State of Jammu and Kashmir;]
(f) "Indian
Christian" means a native of India who is, or in good faith claims to be,
of unmixed Asiatic descent and who professes any form of the Christian
religion;
(g) "minor"
means any person subject to the Indian Majority Act, 1875 (9 of 1875) who has
not attained his majority within the meaning of that Act, and any other person
who has not completed the age of eighteen years; and "minority" means
the status of any such person;
(h) "probate"
means the copy of a will certified under the seal of a court of competent
jurisdiction with a grant of administration to the estate of the testator;
(i) [6]["State" includes any
division of India having a court of the last resort;] and
(j) "Will"
means the legal declaration of the intention of a testator with respect to his
property which he desires to be carried into effect after his death.
Section 3 - Power of State Government to exempt any race, sect or tribe in the State from operation of Act
(1)
The
State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, either
retrospectively from the sixteenth day of March, 1865, or prospectively, exempt
from the operation of any of the following provisions of this Act, namely,
sections 5 to 49 , 58 to 191 , 212, 213 and 215 to 369 , the members of any
race, sect or tribe in the State, or of any part of such race, sect or tribe to
whom the State Government considers it impossible or inexpedient to apply such
provisions or any of them mentioned in the order.
(2)
The
State Government may, by a like notification, revoke any such order, but not so
that the revocation shall have retrospective effect.
(3)
Persons
exempted under this section or exempted from the operation of any of the
provisions of the Indian Succession Act, 1865 [7](10 of 1865), under
section 332 of that Act are in this Act referred to as "exempted
persons".
Section 4 - Application of Part
This Part shall not apply if the
deceased was a Hindu, Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina.
Section 5 - Law regulating succession to deceased person's immovable and movable property, respectively
(1)
Succession
to the immovable property in [8][India] of a person
deceased shall be regulated by the law of [9][India], wherever
such person may have had his domicile at the time of his death.
(2)
Succession
to the movable property of a person deceased is regulated by the law of the
country in which such person had his domicile at the time of his death.
(3)
A,
having his domicile in [10][India], dies in
France, leaving movable property in France, movable properly in England and
property, both movable and immovable, in [11][India]. The
succession to the whole is regulated by the law of [12][India],
(4)
A,
an Englishman, having his domicile in France, dies in [13][India] and leaves property
both movable and immovable, in [14][India]. The
succession to the movable property is regulated by the rules which govern, in
France, the succession to the movable property of an Englishman dying domiciles
in France, and the succession to the immovable property is regulated by law
of [15][India].
Section 6 - One domicile only affects succession to movables
A person can have only one domicile for
the purpose of the succession to his movable property.
Section 7 - Domicile of origin of person of legitimate birth
The domicile of origin of every person
of legitimate birth is in the country in which at the time of his birth his
father was domiciled; or, if he is a posthumous child, in the country in which
his father was domiciled at the time of the father's death.At the time of the
birth of A, his father was domiciled in England. A's domicile of origin is in
England, whatever may be the country in which he was born.
Section 8 - Domicile of origin of illegitimate child
The domicile of origin of an
illegitimate child is in the country in which, at the time of his birth, his
mother was domiciled.
Section 9 - Continuance of domicile of origin
The domicile of origin prevails until a
new domicile has been acquired.
Section 10 - Acquisition of new domicile
A man acquires a new domicile by taking
up his fixed habitation in a country which is not that of his domicile of
origin.
Explanation.-A man is not to be deemed
to have taken up his fixed habitation in [16][India] merely by
reason of his residing therein [17][the civil, military,
naval or air force service of Government], or in the exercise of any profession
or calling.
(i)
A,
whose domicile of origin is in England, proceeds to [18][India], where he
settles as a barrister or a merchant, intending to reside there during the
remainder of his life. His domicile is now in India.
(ii)
A,
whose domicile is in England, goes to Austria, and enters the Austrian service,
intending to remain in that service. A has acquired a domicile in Austria.
(iii)
A,
whose domicile of origin is in France, comes to reside in [19][India] under an
engagement with the Central Government for a certain number of years. It is his
intention to return to France at the end of that period. He does not acquire a
domicile in [20][India].
(iv)
A,
whose domicile is in England, goes to reside in [21][India] for the
purpose of winding up the affairs of a partnership which has been dissolved,
and with the intention of returning to England as soon as that purpose is
accomplished. He does not by such residence acquire a domicile in [22][India], however,
long the residence may last.
(v)
A,
having gone to reside in [23][India] in the
circumstances mentioned in the last preceding illustration, afterwards alters
his intention, and takes up his fixed habitation in [24][India]. A has
acquired a domicile in [25] [India].
(vi)
A,
whose domicile is in the French Settlement of Chandernagore[26], is compelled by
political events to take refuge in Calcutta, and resides in Calcutta for many
years in the hope of such political changes as may enable him to return with
safety to Chandernagore. He does not by such residence acquire a domicile
in [27][India].
(vii)
A,
having come to Calcutta in the circumstances stated in the last preceding
illustration, continues to reside thereafter such political changes have occurred
as would enable him to return with safety to Chandernagore, and he intends that
his residence in Calcutta shall be permanent. A, has acquired a domicile
in [28][India].
Section 11 - Special mode of acquiring domicile in India
Any person may
acquire a domicile in [29][India]
by making and depositing in some office in [30][India]
appointed in this behalf by the State Government, a declaration in writing
under his hand of his desire to acquire such domicile;
provided that he has
been resident in [31][India]
for one year immediately preceding the time of his making such declaration.
Section 12 - Domicile not acquired by residence as representative of foreign Government, or as part of his family
A person who is
appointed by the Government of one country to be its ambassador, consul or
other representative in another country does not acquire a domicile in the
latter country by reason only of residing there in pursuance of his
appointment; nor does any other person acquire such domicile by reason only of
residing with such first-mentioned person as part of his family, or as a
servant.
Section 13 - Continuance of new domicile
A new domicile
continues until the former domicile has been resumed or another has been
acquired.
Section 14 - Minor's domicile
The domicile of a minor
follows the domicile of the parent from whom he derived his domicile of origin.
Exception.?The
domicile of a minor does not change with that of his parent, if the minor is
married, or holds any office or employment in the service of Government, or has
set up, with the consent of the parent, in any distinct business.
Section 15 - Domicile acquired by woman on marriage
By marriage a woman
acquires the domicile of her husband, if she had not the same domicile before.
Section 16 - Wife's domicile during marriage
A wife's domicile
during her marriage follows the domicile of her husband.
Exception.?The wife's
domicile no longer follows that of her husband if they are separated by the
sentence of a competent Court, or if the husband is undergoing a sentence of
transportation.
Section 17 - Minor's acquisition of new domicile
Save as hereinbefore
otherwise provided in this Part, a person can not, during minority, acquire a
new domicile.
Section 18 - Lunatic's acquisition of new domicile
An insane person
cannot acquire a new domicile in any other way than by his domicile following
the domicile of another person.
Section 19 - Succession to movable property in India in absence of proof of domicile elsewhere
If a person dies
leaving moveable property in [32][India],
in the absence of proof of any domicile elsewhere, succession to the property
is regulated by the law of [33][India].
Section 20 - Interests and powers not acquired nor lost by marriage
(1)
No
person shall, by marriage, acquire any interest in the property of the person
whom he or she marries or become incapable of doing any act in respect of his
or her own property which he or she could have done if unmarried.
(2)
This
section?
(a)
shall
not apply to any marriage contracted before the first day of January, 1866;
(b)
shall
not apply, and shall be deemed never to have applied, to any marriage, one or
both of the parties to which professed at the time of the marriage the Hindu,
Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina religion.
Section 21 - Effect of marriage between person domiciled and one not domiciled in India
If a person whose
domicile is not in [34][India]
marries in [35][India]
a person whose domicile is in [36][India],
neither party acquires by the marriage any rights in respect of any property of
the other party not comprised in a settlement made previous to the marriage,
which he or she would not acquire thereby if both were domiciled in [37][India]
at the time of the marriage.
Section 22 - Settlement of minor's property in contemplation of marriage
(1)
The
property of a minor may be settled in contemplation of marriage, provided the
settlement is made by the minor with the approbation of the minor's father, or,
if the father is dead or absent from [38][India]
with the approbation of the High Court.
(2)
Nothing
in this section or in section 21 shall apply to any will made or intestacy
occurring before the first day of January, 1866, or to intestate or
testamentary succession to the property of any Hindu, Muhammadan, Buddhist,
Sikh or Jaina.
Section 23 - Application of Part
Nothing in this Part
shall apply to any will made or intestacy occurring before the first day of
January, 1866, or to intestate or testamentary succession to the property of
any Hindu, Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh, Jaina or Parsi.
Section 24 - Kindred or consanguinity
Kindred or
consanguinity is the connection or relation of persons descended from the same
stock or common ancestor.
Section 25 - Lineal consanguinity
(1)
Lineal
consanguinity is that which subsists between two persons, one of whom is
descended in a direct line from the other, as between a man and his father,
grandfather and great-grandfather, and so upwards in the direct ascending line;
or between a man and his son, grandson, great-grandson and so downwards in the
descending line.
(2)
Every
generation constitutes a degree, either ascending or descending.
(3)
A
person's father is related to him in the first degree, and so likewise is his
son; his grandfather and grandson in the second degree; his great-grandfather
and great-grandson in this third degree, and so on.
Section 26 - Collateral consanguinity
(1)
Collateral
consanguinity is that which subsists between two persons who are descended from
the same stock or ancestor, but neither of whom is descended in a direct line
from the other.
(2)
For
the purpose of ascertaining in what degree of kindred any collateral relative
stands to a person deceased, it is necessary to reckon upwards from the person
deceased to the common stock and then downwards to the collateral relative, a
degree being allowed for each person, both ascending and descending.
Section 27 - Persons held for purpose of succession to be similarly related to deceased
For the purpose of
succession, there is no distinction?
(a)
between
those who are related to a person deceased through his father; and those who
are related to him through his mother; or
(b)
between
those who are related to a person deceased by the full blood, and those who are
related to him by the half blood; or
(c)
between
those who were actually born in the lifetime of a person deceased, and those
who at the date of his death were only conceived in the womb, but who have been
subsequently born alive.
Section 28 - Mode of computing of degrees of kindred
Degrees of kindred
are computed in the manner set forth in the table of kindred set out in
Schedule I.
(i)
The
person whose relatives are to be reckoned, and his cousin-german, or first
cousin, are, as shown in the table, related in the fourth degree; there being
one degree of ascent to the father, and another to the common ancestor, the
grandfather; and from him one of ascent to the uncle, and another to the
cousin-german, making in all four degrees.
(ii)
A
grandson of the brother and a son of the uncle, i.e., a great-nephew and a
cousin-german, are in equal degree, being each four degree removed.
(iii)
A
grandson of a cousin-german is in the same degree as the grandson of a
great-uncle, for they are both in the sixth degree of kindred.
Section 29 - Application of Part
(1)
This
Part shall not apply to any intestacy occurring before the first day of
January, 1866, or to the property of any Hindu, Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh or
Jaina.
(2)
Save
as provided in sub-section (1) or by any other law for the time being in force,
the provisions of this Part shall constitute the law of [39][India]
in all cases of intestacy.
Section 30 - As to what property deceased considered to have died intestate
A person is deemed to
die intestate in respect of all property of which he has not made a
testamentary disposition which is capable of taking effect.
(i)
A
has left no will. He has died intestate in respect of the whole of his
property.
(ii)
A
has left a will, whereby he has appointed B his executor; but the will contains
no other provision. A has died intestate in respect of the distribution of his
property.
(iii)
A
has bequeathed his whole property for an illegal purpose. A has died intestate
in respect of the distribution of his property.
(iv)
A
has bequeathed 1,000 rupees to B and 1,000 rupees to the eldest son of C, and
has made no other bequest; and has died leving the sum of 2,000 rupees and no
other property. C died before A without having ever had a son. A has died
intestate in respect of the distribution of 1,000 rupees.
Section 31 - Chapter not to apply to Parsis
Nothing in this
Chapter shall apply to Parsis.
Section 32 - Devolution of such property
The property of an
intestate devolves upon the wife or husband, or upon those who are of the
kindred of the deceased, in the order and according to the rules hereinafter
contained in this Chapter.
[40][***]
Section 33 - Where intestate has left widow and lineal descendants, or widow and kindred only, or widow and no kindred
Where the intestate
has left a widow-
(a)
if
he has also left any lineal descendants, one-thirds of his property shall
belong to his widow, and the remaining two-thirds shall go to his lineal
descendants, according to the rules hereinafter contained;
(b)
[41][save
as provided by section 33A] if he has left no lineal descendant, but has left
persons who are of kindred to him, one-half of his property shall belong to his
widow, and the other half shall go to those who are kindred to him, in the
order and according to the rules hereinafter contained;
(c)
if
he has left none who are of kindred to him, the whole of his property shall
belong to his widow.
Section 33A - Special provision where intestate has left widow and no lineal descendants
[42][33A.
Special provision wherein testate has left widow and no lineal descendants
(1)
Where
the intestate has left a widow but no lineal descendants and the net value of
his property does not exceed five thousand rupees, the whole of his property
shall belong to the widow.
(2)
Where
the net value of the property exceeds the sum of five thousand rupees, the
widow shall be entitled to five thousand rupees thereof and shall have a charge
upon the whole of such property for such sum of five thousand rupees, with
interest thereon from the date of the death of the intestate at 4 per cent, per
annum until payment.
(3)
The
provision for the widow made by this section shall be in addition and without
prejudice to her interest and share in the residue of the estate of such
intestate remaining after payment of the said sum of five thousand rupees with
interest as aforesaid, and such residue shall be distributed in accordance with
the provisions of section 33 as if it were the whole of such intestate's
property.
(4)
The
net value of the property shall be ascertained by deducting from the gross
value thereof all debts, and all funeral and administration expenses of the
intestate, and all other lawful liabilities and charges to which the property
shall be subject.
(5)
This
section shall not apply-
(a)
to
the property of-
(b)
any
Indian Christian,
(c)
?any child or grandchild of any male person who
is or was at the time of his death an Indian Christian, or
(d)
any
person professing the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina religion the succession to
whose property is, under section 24 of the Special Marriage Act,1872 (3 of
1872)[43] regulated
by the provisions of this Act;
(e)
unless
the deceased dies intestate in respect of all his property.]
Section 34 - Where intestate has left no widow, and where he has left no kindred
Where the intestate has left no widow,
his property shall go to his lineal descendants or to those who are of kindred
to him, not being lineal descendants, according to the rules hereinafter
contained; and, if he has left none who are of kindred to him, it shall go to
the Government.
Section 35 - Rights of widower
A husband surviving his wife has the
same rights in respect of her property, if she dies intestate, as a widow has
in respect of her husband's property, if he dies intestate.
Section 36 - Rules of distribution
The rules for the distribution of the
intestate's property (after deducting the widow's share, if he has left a
widow) amongst his lineal descendants shall be those contained in Sections 37
to 40.
Section 37 - Where intestate has left child or children only
Where the intestate has left surviving
him a child or children, but no more remote lineal descendant through a
deceased child, the property shall belong to his surviving child, if there is
only one, or shall be equally divided among all his surviving children.
Section 38 - Where intestate has left no child, but grand-child or grand-children
Where the intestate has not left
surviving him any child but has left a grand-child or grand-children and no
more remote descendant through a deceased grand-child, the property shall
belong to his surviving grand-child if there is one, or shall be equally
divided among all his surviving grand-children.
(i)
A
has three children, and no more, John, Mary and Henry. They all die before the
father, John leaving two children, Mary three and Henry four. Afterwards A dies
intestate, leaving those nine grandchildren and no descendant of any deceased
grand-child. Each of his grand-children will have one-ninth.
(ii)
But
if Henry has died, leaving no child, then the whole is equally divided between
the intestate's five grand-children, the children of John and Mary.
Section 39 - Where intestate has left only great-grand-children or remoter lineal descendants
In like manner the property shall go to
the surviving lineal descendants who are nearest in degree to the intestate,
where they are all in the degree of great-grandchildren to him, or are all in a
more remote degree.
Section 40 - Where intestate leaves lineal descendants not all in same degree of kindred to him, and those through whom the more remote are descended are dead
(1)
If
the intestate has left lineal descendants who do not all stand in the same
degree of kindred to him, and the persons through whom the more remote are
descended from him are dead, the property shall be divided into such a number
of equal shares as may correspond with the number of the lineal descendants of
the intestate who either stood in the nearest degree of kindred to him at his
decease, or, having been of the like degree of kindred to him, died before him,
leaving lineal descendants who survived him.
(2)
One
of such shares shall be allotted to each of the lineal descendants who stood in
the nearest degree of kindred to the intestate at his decease; and one of such
shares shall be allotted in respect of each of such deceased lineal
descendants; and the share allotted in respect of each of such deceased lineal
descendants shall belong to his surviving child or children or more remote
lineal descendants, as the case may be; such surviving child or children or
more remote lineal descendants always taking the share which his or their
parent or parents would have been entitled to respectively if such parent or
parents had survived the intestate.
(3)
A
had three children, John, Mary and Henry; John died, leaving four children, and
Mary died, leaving one, and Henry alone survived the father. On the death of A,
intestate, one-third is allotted to Henry, one-third to John's four children,
and the remaining third to Mary's one child.
(4)
A
left no child, but left eight grand-children, and two children of a deceased
grand-child. The property is divided into nine parts, one of which is allotted
to each grand-child, and the remaining one-ninth is equally divided between the
two great-grand-children.
(5)
A
has three children, John, Mary and Henry; John dies leaving four children; and
one of John's children dies leaving two children. Mary dies leaving one child,
A afterwards dies intestate. One-third of his property is allotted to Henry,
one-third to Mary's child and one-third is divided into four parts, one of
which is allotted to each of John's three surviving children, and the remaining
part is equally divided between John's two grand-children.
(6)
A
has two children, and no more, John and Mary. John dies before his father,
leaving his wife pregnant. Then A dies leaving Mary surviving him, and in due
time a child of John is born, A's property is to be equally divided between
Mary and the posthumous child.
Section 41 - Rules of distribution where intestate has left no lineal descendants
Where an intestate has left no lineal
descendants, the rules for the distribution of his property (after deducting
the widow's share, if he has left a widow) shall be those contained in Sections
42 to 48.
Section 42 - Where intestate's father living
If the intestate's father is living, he
shall succeed to the property.
Section 43 - Where intestate's father dead, but his mother, brothers and sisters living
If the intestate's father is dead, but
the intestate's mother is living and there are also brothers or sisters of the
intestate living, and there is no child living of any deceased brother or
sister, the mother and each living brother or sister shall succeed to the
property in equal shares.Illustration
A dies intestate, survived by his
mother and two brothers of the full blood, John and Henry and a sister Mary,
who is the daughter of his mother but not of his father. The mother takes
one-fourth, each brother takes one-fourth and Mary, the sister of half blood,
takes one-fourth.
Section 44 - Where intestate's father dead and his mother, a brother or sister, and children of any deceased brother or sister living
If the intestate's father is dead but
the intestate's mother is living, and if any brother or sister and the child or
children of any brother or sister who may have died in the intestate's lifetime
are also living, then the mother and each living brother or sister, and the
living child or children of each deceased brother or sister, shall be entitled
to the property in equal shares, such children (if more than one) taking in
equal shares only the shares which their respective parents would have taken if
living at the intestate's death.Illustration
A, the intestate, leaves his mother,
his brothers John and Henry, and also one child of a deceased sister, Mary, and
two children of George, a deceased brother of the half blood who was the son of
his father but not of his mother. The mother takes one-fifth, John and Henry
each take one-fifth, the child of Mary takes one-fifth, and the two children of
George divide the remaining one-fifth equally between them.
Section 45 - Where intestate's father dead and his mother and children of any deceased brother or sister living
If the intestate's father is dead, but
the intestate's mother is living, and the brothers and sisters are all dead,
but all or any of them have left children who survived the intestate, the
mother and the child or children of each deceased brother or sister shall be
entitled to the property in equal shares, such children (if more than one)
taking in equal shares only the shares which their respective parents would
have taken if living at the intestate's death.Illustration
A, the intestate, leaves no brother or
sister but leaves his mother and one child of deceased sister, Mary and two
children of deceased brother George. The mother takes one-third, the child of
Mary takes one-third, and the children of George divide the remaining one-third
equally between then.
Section 46 - Where intestate's father dead, but his mother living and no brother, sister, nephew or niece
If the intestate's father is dead, but
the intestate's mother is living, and there is neither brother, nor sister, nor
child of any brother or sister of the intestate, the property shall belong to
the mother.
Section 47 - Where intestate has left neither lineal descendant, nor father, nor mother
Where the intestate has left neither
lineal descendant, nor father, nor mother, the property shall be divided
equally between his brothers and sisters and the child or children of such of
them as may have died before him, such children (if more than one) taking in
equal shares only the shares which their respective parents would have taken if
living at the intestate's death.
Section 48 - Where intestate has left neither lineal descendant, nor parent, nor brother, nor sister
Where the intestate has left neither
lineal descendant, nor parent, nor brother, nor sister, his property shall be
divided equally among those of his relatives who are in the nearest degree of
kindred to him.Illustrations
(i)
A,
the intestate, has left a grandfather, and a grandmother and no other relative
standing in the same or a nearer degree of kindred to him. They, being in the
second degree, will be entitled to the property in equal shares, exclusive of
any uncle or aunt of the intestate, uncles and aunts being only in the third
degree.
(ii)
A,
the intestate, has left a great-grandfather, or a great-grandmother, and uncles
and aunts, and no other relative standing in the same or a nearer degree of
kindred to him. All of these being in the third degree will take equal shares.
(iii)
A,
the intestate, left a great-grandfather, an uncle and a nephew, but no relative
standing in a nearer degree of kindred to him. All of these being in the third
degree will take equal shares.
(iv)
Ten
children of one brother or sister of the intestate and one child of another
brother or sister of the intestate, constitute the class of relatives of the
nearest degree of kindred to him. They will each take one-eleventh of the
property.
Section 49 - Children's advancements not brought into hotchpot
Where a distributive share in the
property of a person who has died intestate is claimed by a child, or any
descendant of a child, of such person, no money or other property which the
intestate may, during his life, have paid, given or settled to, or for the
advancement of, the child by whom or by whose descendant the claim is made
shall be taken into account in estimating such distributive share.
Section 50 - General principles relating to intestate succession
[44][50. General
principles relating to intestate succession
For the purpose of intestate succession
among Parsis-
(a)
there
is no distinction between those who were actually born in the lifetime of a
person deceased and those who at the date of his death were only conceived in
the womb, but who have been subsequently born alive;
(b)
a
lineal descendant of an intestate who has died in the lifetime of the intestate
without leaving a widow or widower or any lineal descendant or [45][a
widow or widower of any lineal descendant] shall not be taken into account in
determining the manner in which the property of which the intestate has died
intestate shall be divided; and
(c)
where
a [46][widow
or widower of any relative] of an intestate has married again in the lifetime
of the intestate,[47] [such
widow or widower] shall not be entitled to receive any share of the property of
which the intestate has died intestate, and [48][such
widow or widower] shall be deemed not to be existing at the intestate's death.
Section 51 - Division of intestate's property among widow, widower, children and parents
[49][51. Division of
intestate's property among widow, widower, children and parents
(1)
Subject
to the provisions of sub-section (2), the property of which a Parsi dies
intestate shall be divided,-
(a)
where
such Parsi dies leaving a widow or widower and children, among the widow or
widower, and children so that the widow or widower and each child receive equal
shares;
(b)
where
such Parsi dies leaving children, but no widow or widower, among the children
in equal shares.
(2)
Where
a Parsi dies leaving one or both parents in addition to children or widow or
widower and children, the property of which such Parsi dies intestate shall be
so divided that the parent or each of the parents shall receive a share equal
to half the share of each child.]
Section 52 - [Repealed]
52. Division of property amongst the children of male in testate who leaves no widow
[50] [***]
Section 53 - Division of share of predeceased child of intestate leaving lineal descendants
In all cases where a Parsi dies leaving
any lineal descendant, if any child of such interstate has died in the lifetime
of the interstate, the division of the share of the property of which the
interstate has died interstate which such child would have taken if living at
the interstate's death shall be in accordance with the following rules,
namely:?
(a) If such deceased
child was a son, his widow and children shall take shares in accordance with
the provisions of this Chapter as if he had died immediately after the
interstate's death:
Provided that where such deceased son
has left a widow or a widower of a lineal descendant but no lineal descendant,
the residue of his share after such distribution has been made shall be divided
in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter as property of which the
interstate has died interstate, and in making the division of such residue the
said deceased son of the interstate shall not be taken into account.
(b) If such deceased
child was a daughter, her share shall be divided equally among her children.
(c) If any child of such
deceased child has also died during the lifetime of the interstate, the share
which he or she would have taken if living at the interstate's death, shall be
divided in like manner in accordance with clause (a) or clause (b) as the case
may be.
(d)
Where
a remoter lineal descendant of the interstate has died during the lifetime of
the interstate, the provisions of clause (c) shall apply mutatis mutandis to
the division of any share to which he or she would have been entitled if living
at the intestate's death by reason of the pre-decease of all the intestate's
lineal descendants directly between him or her and the intestate.
Section 54 - Division of property where intestate leaves no lineal descendant but leaves a widow or widower of any lineal descendant
[51][54. Division of
property wherein testate leaves no lineal descendant but leaves a widow or
widower of any lineal descendant
Where a Parsi dies without leaving any
lineal descendant but leaving a widow or widower or a widow or widower of a
lineal descendant, the property of which the intestate dies
intestate shall be divided in accordance with the following rules, namely:-
(a)
if
the interstate leaves a widow or widower but no widow or widower of a lineal
descendant, the widow or widower shall take half the said property;
(b)
if
the interstate leaves a widow or widower and also a widow or widower of any
lineal descendant, his widow or her widower shall receive one-third of the said
property and the widow or widower of any lineal descendant shall receive
another one-third or if there is more than one such widow or widower of lineal
descendants, the last mentioned one-third shall be divided equally among them;
(c)
if
the intestate leaves no widow or widower, but one widow or widower of a lineal
descendant, such widow or widower of the lineal descendant shall receive
one-third of the said property or, if the intestate leaves no widow or widower
but more than one widow or widower of lineal descendants, two thirds of the
said property shall be divided among such widows or widowers of the lineal
descendants in equal shares;
(d)
the
residue after the division specified in clause (a), or clause (b) or clause (c)
has been made shall be distributed among the relatives of the intestate in
the order specified in Part 1 of Schedule II; and the next-of-kin standing
first in Part I of that Schedule shall be preferred to those standing second,
the second to the third and so on in succession, provided that the
property shall be so distributed that each male and female standing in the
same degree of propinquity shall receive equal shares;
(e)
if
there are no relatives entitled to the residue under clause (d), the whole of
the residue shall be distributed in proportion to the shares specified
among the persons entitled to receive shares under this section.]
Section 55 - Division of property where intestate leaves neither lineal descendants nor a widow or widower nor a widow of any lineal descendant
When a Parsi dies leaving neither
lineal descendants nor a widow or widower nor [52][a
widow or widower of any lineal descendant], his or her next-of-kin, in the
order set forth in Part II of Schedule II, shall be entitled to succeed to the
whole of the property of which he or she dies intestate. The next-of-kin
standing first in Part II of that Schedule shall be preferred to those standing
second, the second to the third, and so on in succession, provided that the property
shall be so distributed that [53][each
male and female standing in the same degree of propinquity shall receive equal
shares].
Section 56 - Division of property where there is no relative entitled to succeed under the other provisions of this Chapter
Where there is no relative entitled to
succeed under the other provisions of this Chapter to the property of which a
Parsi has died intestate, the said property shall be divided equally among
those of the intestate's relatives who are in the nearest degree of kindred to
him.]
Section 57 - Application of certain provisions of Part to a class of wills made by Hindus, etc.
[54][57. Application of
certain provisions of Part to a class of wills made by Hindus, etc.
The provisions of this Part which are
set out in Schedule III shall, subject to the restrictions and modifications
specified therein, apply-
(a)
to
all Wills and codicils made by any Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina on or after
the first day of September, 1870, within the territories which at the said date
were subject to the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal or within the local limits of
the ordinary original civil jurisdiction of the High Courts of Judicature at
Madras and Bombay; and
(b)
to
all such Wills and codicils made outside those territories and limits so far as
relates to immoveable property situate within those territories or
limits; [55][and
(c)
to
all Wills and codicils made by any Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina on or after
the first day of January, 1927, to which those provisions are not applied by clauses
(a) and (b):]
Provided that marriage shall not revoke
any such Will or codicil.]
Section 58 - General application of Part
(1)
The
provisions of this Part shall not apply to testamentary succession to the
property of any Muhammadan nor, save as provided by section 57, to testamentary
succession to the property of any Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina; nor shall
they apply to any Will made before the first day of January, 1866.
(2)
Save
as provided in sub-section (1) or by any other law for the time being in force,
the provisions of this Part shall constitute the law of [56][India]
applicable to all cases of testamentary succession.
Section 59 - Person capable of making Wills
Every person of sound mind not being a
minor may dispose of his property by Will.
Explanation 1.? A married woman may
dispose by Will of any property which she could alienate by her own act during
her life.
Explanation 2.? Persons who are deaf or
dumb or blind are not thereby incapacitated for making a Will if they are able
to know what they do by it.
Explanation 3.? A person who is
ordinarily insane may make a Will during an interval in which he is of sound
mind.
Explanation 4.? No person can make a
Will while he is in such a state of mind, whether arising from intoxication or
from illness or from any other cause, that he does not know what he is doing.Illustrations
(i)
A
can perceive what is going on in his immediate neighbourhood, and can answer
familiar questions, but has not a competent understanding as to the nature of
his property, or the persons who are of kindred to him, or in whose favour it
would be proper that he should make his Will. A cannot make a valid Will.
(ii)
A
executes an instrument purporting to be his Will, but he does not understand
the nature of the instrument, nor the effect of its provisions. This instrument
is not a valid Will.
(iii)
A,
being very feeble and debilitated, but capable of exercising a judgment as to
the proper mode of disposing of his property makes a Will. This is a valid
Will.
Section 60 - Testamentary guardian
A father, whatever his age may be, may
by Will appoint a guardian or guardians for his child during minority.
Section 61 - Will obtained by fraud, coercion or importunity
A Will or any part of a Will, the
making of which has been caused by fraud or coercion, or by such importunity as
takes away the free agency of the testator, is void.
(i)
A,
falsely and knowingly, represents to the testator, that the testator's only
child is dead, or that he has done some undutiful act and thereby induces the
testator to make a will in his, A 's favour; such Will has been obtained by
fraud, and is invalid.
(ii)
A,
by fraud and deception, prevails upon the testator to bequeath a legacy to him.
The bequest is void.
(iii)
A,
being a prisoner by lawful authority, makes his will. The will is not invalid
by reason of the imprisonment.
(iv)
A
threatens to shoot B, or to burn his house or to cause him to be arrested on a
criminal charge, unless he makes a bequest in favour of C. B, in consequence,
makes a bequest in favour of C. The bequest is void, the making of it having
been caused by coercion.
(v)
A,
being of sufficient intellect, if undisturbed by the influence of others, to
make a will yet being so much under the control of B that he is not a free
agent, makes a Will dictated by B. It appears that he would not have executed
the will but for fear of B. The Will is invalid.
(vi)
A,
being in so feeble a state of health as to be unable to resist importunity, is
pressed by B to make a Will of a certain purport and does so merely to purchase
peace and in submission to B. The Will is invalid.
(vii)
A
being in such a state of health as to be capable of exercising his own judgment
and volition, B uses urgent intercession and persuasion with him to induce him
to make a Will of a certain purport. A, in consequence of the intercession and
persuasion, but in the free exercise of his judgment and volition makes his
Will in the manner recommended by B. The Will is not rendered invalid by the
intercession and persuasion of B.
(viii)
A
with a view to obtaining a legacy from B, pays him attention and flatters him
and thereby produces in him a capricious partiality to A. B, in consequence of
such attention and flattery makes his Will, by which he leaves a legacy to A.
The bequest is not rendered invalid by the attention and flattery of A.
Section 62 - Will may be revoked or altered
A Will is liable to be revoked or
altered by the maker of it at any time when he is competent to dispose of his
property by Will.
Section 63 - Execution of unprivileged Wills
Every testator, not being a soldier
employed in an expedition or engaged in actual warfare, [57][or
an airman so employed or engaged,] or a mariner at sea, shall execute his Will
according to the following rules:-
(a)
The
testator shall sign or shall affix his mark to the Will, or it shall be signed
by some other person in his presence and by his direction.
(b)
The
signature or mark of the testator, or the signature of the person signing for
him, shall be so placed that it shall appear that it was intended thereby to
give effect to the writing as a Will.
(c)
The
Will shall be attested by two or more witnesses, each of whom has seen the
testator sign or affix his mark to the Will or has seen some other person sign
the Will, in the presence and by the direction of the testator, or has received
from the testator a personal acknowledgement of his signature or mark, or of
the signature of such other person; and each of the witnesses shall sign the
Will in the presence of the testator, but it shall not be necessary that more
than one witness be present at the same time, and no particular form of
attestation shall be necessary.
Section 64 - Incorporation of papers by reference
If a testator, in a Will or codicil
duly attested, refers to any other document then actually written as expressing
any part of his intentions, such document shall be deemed to form a part of the
Will or codicil in which it is referred to.
Section 65 - Privileged Wills
Any soldier being employed in an
expedition or engaged in actual warfare, [58][or
an airman so employed or engaged,] or any mariner being at sea, may, if he has
completed the age of eighteen years, dispose of his property by a Will made in
the manner provided in section66. Such Wills are called privileged Wills.
(i)
A,
a medical officer attached to a regiment is actually employed in an expedition.
He is a soldier actually employed in an expedition, and can make a privileged
Will.
(ii)
A
is at sea in a merchant-ship of which he is the purser. He is a mariner, and,
being at sea, can make a privileged Will.
(iii)
A,
a soldier service in the field against insurgents, is a soldier engaged in
actual warfare, and as such can make a privileged Will.
(iv)
A,
a mariner of a ship, in the course of a voyage, is temporarily on shore while
she is lying in harbour. He is, for the purposes of this section, a mariner at
sea, and can make a privileged Will.
(v)
A,
an admiral who commands a naval force, but who lives on shore, and only
occasionally goes on board his ship, is not considered as at sea, and cannot
make a privileged Will.
(vi)
A,
a mariner serving on a military expedition, but not being at sea, is considered
as a soldier, and can make a privileged Will.
Section 66 - Mode of making, and rules for executing, privileged Wills
(1)
Privileged
Wills may be in writing, or may be made by word of mouth.
(2)
The
execution of privileged Wills shall be governed by the following rules:-
(i)
The
Will may be written wholly by the testator, with his own hand. In such case it
need not be signed or attested.
(ii)
It
may be written wholly or in part by another person, and signed by the testator.
In such case it need not be attested.
(iii)
If
the instrument purporting to be a Will is written wholly or in part by another
person and is not signed by the testator, it shall be deemed to be his Will, if
it is shown that it was written by the testator's directions or that he
recognised it as his Will.
(iv)
If
it appears on the face of the instrument that the execution of it in the manner
intended by the testator was not completed, the instrument shall not, by reason
of that circumstance, be invalid, provided that his non-execution of it can be
reasonably ascribed to some cause other than the abandonment of the
testamentary intentions expressed in the instrument.
(v)
If
the soldier, [59][airman]
or mariner has written instructions for the preparation of his Will, but has
died before it could be prepared and executed such instructions shall be
considered to constitute his Will.
(vi)
If
the soldier, [60][airman]
or mariner has, in the presence of two witnesses, given verbal instructions for
the preparation of his Will, and they have been reduced into writing in his
lifetime, but he has died before the instrument could be prepared and executed,
such instructions shall be considered to constitute his Will, although they may
not have been reduced into writing in his presence, nor read over to him.
(vii)
The
soldier, [61][airman]
or mariner may make a Will by word of mouth by declaring his intentions before
two witnesses present at the same time.
(viii)
A
Will made by word of mouth shall be null at the expiration of one month after
the testator, being still alive, has ceased to be entitled to make a privileged
Will.
Section 67 - Effect of gift to attesting witness
A Will shall not be deemed to be
insufficiently attested by reason of any benefit thereby given either by way of
bequest or by way of appointment to any person attesting it, or to his or her
wife or husband; but the bequest or appointment shall be void so far as
concerns the person so attesting or the wife or husband of such person or any
person claiming under either of them.
Explanation.? A legatee under a Will
does not lose his legacy by attesting a codicil which confirms the Will.
Section 68 - Witness not disqualified by interest or by being executor
No person, by reason of interest in, or
of his being an executor of, a Will shall be disqualified as a witness to prove
the execution of the Will or to prove the validity or invalidity thereof.
Section 69 - Revocation of Will by testator's marriage
Every Will shall be revoked by the
marriage of the maker, except a Will made in exercise of a power of
appointment, when the property over which the power of appointment is exercised
would not, in default of such appointment, pass to his or her executor or
administrator, or to the person entitled in case of intestacy.
Explanation.?Where a man is invested
with power to determine the disposition of property of which he is not the
owner, he is said to have power to appoint such property.
Section 70 - Revocation of unprivileged Will or codicil
No unprivileged Will or codicil, nor
any part thereof, shall be revoked otherwise than by marriage, or by another
Will or codicil, or by some writing declaring an intention to revoke the same
and executed in the manner in which an unprivileged Will is hereinbefore
required to be executed, or by the burning, tearing, or otherwise destroying
the same by the testator or by some person in his presence and by his direction
with the intention of revoking the same.
(i)
A
has made an unprivileged Will. Afterwards, A makes another unprivileged Will
which purports to revoke the first. This is a revocation.
(ii)
A
has made an unprivileged Will. Afterwards, A being entitled to make a
privileged Will makes a privileged Will, which purports to revoke his
unprivileged Will. This is a revocation.
Section 71 - Effect of obliteration, interlineation or alteration in unprivileged Will
No obliteration, interlineation or
other alteration made in any unprivileged Will after the execution thereof shall
have any effect, except so far as the words or meaning of the Will have been
thereby rendered illegible or indiscernible, unless such alteration has been
executed in like manner as hereinbefore is required for the execution of the
Will:
Provided that the Will, as so altered,
shall be deemed to be duly executed if the signature of the testator and the
subscription of the witnesses is made in the margin or on some other part of
the Will opposite or near to such alteration, or at the foot or end of or opposite
to a memorandum referring to such alteration, and written at the end or some
other part of the Will.
Section 72 - Revocation of privileged Will or codicil
A privileged Will or codicil may be
revoked by the testator by an unprivileged Will or codicil, or by any act
expressing an intention to revoke it and accompanied by such formalities as
would be sufficient to give validity to a privileged Will, or by the burning,
tearing or otherwise destroying the same by the testator, or by some person in
his presence and by his direction, with the intention of revoking the same.
Explanation.?In order to the revocation
of a privileged Will or codicil by an act accompanied by such formalities as
would be sufficient to give validity to a privileged Will, it is not necessary
that the testator should at the time of doing that act be in a situation which
entitles him to make a privileged Will.
Section 73 - Revival of unprivileged Will
(1)
No
unprivileged Will or codicil, nor any part thereof, which has been revoked in
any manner, shall be revived otherwise than by the re-execution thereof, or by
a codicil executed in manner hereinbefore required, and showing an intention to
revive the same.
(2)
When
any Will or codicil, which has been partly revoked and afterwards wholly revoked,
is revived, such revival shall not extend to so much thereof as has been
revoked before the revocation of the whole thereof, unless an intention to the
contrary is shown by the Will or codicil.
Section 74 - Wording of Will
It is not necessary that any technical
words or terms of art be used in a Will, but only that the wording be such that
the intentions of the testator can be known therefrom.
Section 75 - Inquiries to determine questions as to object or subject of Will
For the purpose of determining
questions as to what person or what property is denoted by any words used in a
Will, a Court shall inquire into every material fact relating to the persons
who claim to be interested under such Will, the property which is claimed as
the subject of disposition, the circumstances of the testator and of his
family, and into every fact a knowledge of which may conduct to the right
application of the words which the testator has used.
(i)
A,
by his Will, bequeaths 1,000 rupees to his eldest son or to his youngest grand-child,
or to his cousin, Mary; a Court may make inquiry in order to ascertain to what
person the description in the Will applies.
(ii)
A,
by his Will, leaves to B "my estate called Black Acre." It may be
necessary to take evidence in order to ascertain what is the subject-matter of
the bequest; that is to say, what estate of the testator's is called Black
Acre.
(iii)
A,
by his Will, leaves to B "the estate which I purchased of C". It may
be necessary to take evidence in order to ascertain what estate the testator
purchased of C.
Section 76 - Misnomer or misdescription of object
(1)
Where
the words used in a Will to designate or describe a legatee or a class of
legatees sufficiently show what is meant, an error in the name or description
shall not prevent the legacy from taking effect.
(2)
A
mistake in the name of a legatee may be corrected by a description of him, and
a mistake in the description of a legatee may be corrected by the name.
(i)
A
bequeaths a legacy to "Thomas, the second son of my brother John".
The testator has an only brother named John, who has no son named Thomas, but
has a second son whose name is William. William Will have legacy.
(ii)
A
bequeaths a legacy "to Thomas, the second son of my brother John".
The testator has an only brother, named John, whose first son is named Thomas
and whose second son is named William. Thomas Will have the legacy.
(iii)
The
testator bequeaths his property "to A and B, the legitimate children of
C". C has no legitimate child, but has two illegitimate children, A and B.
The bequest to A and B takes effect, although they are illegitimate.
(iv)
The
testator gives his residuary estate to be divided among "my seven
children" and, proceeding to enumerate them, mentions six names only. This
omission Will not prevent the seventh child from taking a share with the
others.
(v)
The
testator, having six grandchildren, makes a bequest to "my six
grandchildren" and proceeding to mention them by their Christian names,
mentions one twice over omitting another altogether. The one whose name is not
mentioned Will take a share with the others.
(vi)
The
testator bequeaths "1,000 rupees to each of three children of A". At
the date of the Will A has four children. Bach of these four children Will, if
he survives the testator, receive a legacy of 1,000 rupees.
Section 77 - When words may be supplied
Where any word material to the full
expression of the meaning has been omitted, it may be supplied by the
context.The testator gives a legacy of" five hundred" to his
daughter A and a legacy of "five hundred rupees" to his daughter B. A
Will take a legacy of five hundred rupees,
Section 78 - Rejection of erroneous particulars in description of subject
If the thing which the testator
intended to bequeath can be sufficiently identified from the description of it
given in the Will, but some parts of the description do not apply, such parts
of the description shall be rejected as erroneous, and the bequest shall
take effect.
(i)
A
bequeaths to B "my marsh-lands lying in L and in the occupation of
X". The testator had marsh-lands lying in L, but had no marsh-lands in the
occupation of X. The words "in the occupation of X" shall be rejected
as erroneous, and the marsh-lands of the testator lying in L Will pass by the
bequest.
(ii)
The
testator bequeaths to A "my zamindari of Rampur". He had an estate at
Rampur but it was a taluq and not a zamindari. The taluq passes by this
bequest.
Section 79 - When part of description may not be rejected as erroneous
If a Will mentions several
circumstances as descriptive of the thing which the testator intends to
bequeath, and there is any property of his in respect of which all those
circumstances exist, the bequest shall be considered as limited to such
property, and it shall not be lawful to reject any part of the description as
erroneous, because the testator had other property to which such part of the
description does not apply.
Explanation.?In judging whether a case
falls within the meaning of this section, any words which would be liable to
rejection under section 78 shall be deemed to have been struck out of the Will.
(i)
A
bequeaths to B "my marsh-lands lying in L and in the occupation of
X". The testator had marsh-lands lying in L, some of which were in the
occupation of X, and some not in the occupation of X". The bequest Will be
considered as limited to such of the testator's marsh-lands lying in L as were
in the occupation of X.
(ii)
A
bequeaths to B" my marsh-lands lying in L and in the occupation of X,
comprising 1,000 big has of lands". The testator had marsh-lands lying in
L some of which were in the occupation of X and some not in the occupation of
X. The measurement is wholly inapplicable to the marsh-lands of either class,
or to the whole taken together. The measurement Will be considered as struck
out of the Will, and such of the testator's marsh-lands lying in I as were in
the occupation of X shall alone pass by the bequest.
Section 80 - Extrinsic evidence admissible in cases of patent ambiguity
Where the words of a Will are
unambiguous, but it is found by extrinsic evidence that they admit of
applications, one only of which can have been intended by the testator,
extrinsic evidence may be taken to show which of these applications was
intended.Illustrations
(i)
A
man, having two cousins of the name of Mary, bequeaths a sum of money to
"my cousin Mary". It appears that there are two persons, each
answering the description in the Will. That description, therefore, admits of
two applications, only one of which can have been intended by the testator.
Evidence is admissible to show which of the two applications was intended.
(ii)
A,
by his Will leaves to B "my estate called SultanpurKhurd". It turns
out that he had two estates called SultanpurKhurd. Evidence is admissible to
show which state was intended.
Section 81 - Extrinsic evidence inadmissible in case of patent ambiguity or deficiency
Where there is an ambiguity or
deficiency on the face of a Will, no extrinsic evidence as to the intentions of
the testator shall be admitted.
(i)
A
man has an aunt, Caroline, and a cousin, Mary, and has no aunt of the name of
Mary. By his Will he bequeaths 1,000 rupees to "my aunt, Caroline"
and 1,000 rupees to "my cousin, Mary" and afterwards bequeaths 2,000
rupees to "my before-mentioned aunt, Mary". There is no person to
whom the description given in the Will can apply, and evidence is not
admissible to show who was meant by "my before-mentioned aunt, Mary".
The bequest is, therefore, void for uncertainty under section 89.
(ii)
A
bequeaths 1,000 rupees to............leaving a blank for the name of the
legatee. Evidence is not admissible to show what name the testator intended to
insert.
(iii)
A
bequeaths to B .......................rupees, or "my estate
of........................" Evidence is not admissible to show what sum or
what estate the testator intended to insert.
Section 82 - Meaning or clause to be collected from entire Will
The meaning of any clause in a
Will is to be collected from the entire instrument, and all its parts are to be
construed with reference to each other.
(i)
The
testator gives to B a specific fund or property at the death of A, and by a
subsequent clause gives the whole of his property to A. The effect of the
several clauses taken together is to vest the specific fund or property in A
for life, and after his decease in B; it appearing from the bequest to B that
the testator meant to use in a restricted sense the words in which he describes
what he gives to A.
(ii)
Where
a testator having an estate, one part of which is called Black Acre, bequeaths
the whole of his estate to A, and in another part of his Will bequeaths Black
Acre to B, the latter bequest is to be read as an exception out of the first as
if he had said "I give Black Acre to B, and all the rest of my estate to
A".
Section 83 - When words may be understood in restricted sense, and when in sense wider than usual
General words may be understood in a
restricted sense where it may be collected from the Will that the
testator meant to use them in a restricted sense; and words may be
understood in a wider sense than that which they usually bear, where it may be
collected from the other words of the Will that the testator meant to use them
in such wider sense.
(i)
A
testator gives to A "my farm in the occupation of B, and to C "
"all my marsh-lands in L". Part of the farm in the occupation of
B consists of marsh-lands in L, and the testator also has other marsh-lands in
L, The general words, "all my marsh-lands in L", are restricted by
the gift to A. A takes the whole of the farm in the occupation of B, including that
portion of the farm which consists of marshlands in L.
(ii)
The
testator (a sailor on ship-board) bequeathed to his mother his gold ring,
buttons and chest of clothes, and to his friend, A (a shipmate) his red box,
clasp-knife and all things not before bequeathed. The testator's share in a
house does not pass to A under this bequest.
(iii)
A,
by his Will, bequeathed to B all his household furniture plate, linen, china,
books, pictures and all other goods of whatever kind; and afterwards bequeathed
to B a specified part of his property. Under the first bequest is B entitled
only to such articles of the testator's as are of the same nature with the
articles therein enumerated,
Section 84 - Which of two possible constructions preferred
Where a clause is susceptible of two
meanings according to one of which it has some effect, and according to the
other of which it can have none, the former shall be preferred.
Section 85 - No part rejected, if it can be reasonably construed
No part of a Will shall be rejected as
destitute of meaning if it is possible to put a reasonable construction upon
it.
Section 86 - Interpretation of words repeated in different parts of Will
If the same words occur in different
parts of the same Will, they shall be taken to have been used everywhere in the
same sense, unless a contrary intention appears.
Section 87 - Testator's intention to be effectuated as far as possible
The intention of the testator shall not
be set aside because it cannot take effect to the full extent, but effect The
testator by a Will made on his death-bed bequeathed all his property to C.D.
for life and after his decease to a certain hospital. The intention of the
testator cannot take effect to its full extent because the gift to the hospital
is void under section 118, but it Will take effect so far as regards the gift
to C.D.
Section 88 - The last of two inconsistent clauses prevails
Where two clauses of gifts in a Will
are irreconcilable, so that they cannot possibly stand together, the last shall
prevail.
(i)
The
testator by the first clause of his Will leaves his estate of Ramnagar "to
A", and by the last clause of his Will leaves it "to B and not to
A". B Will have it,
(ii)
If
a man, at the commencement of his Will gives his house to A, and at the close
of it directs that his house shall be sold and the proceeds invested for the
benefit of B, the latter disposition Will prevail.
Section 89 - Will or bequest void for uncertainty
A Will or bequest not expressive of any
definite intention is void for uncertainty.If a testator says "I bequeath
goods to A", or "I bequeath to A", or "I leave to A all the
goods mentioned in the Schedule" and no Schedule is found, or "I
bequeath 'money', 'wheat', 'oil'" or the like, without saying how much,
this is void.
Section 90 - Words describing subject refer to property answering description at testator's death
The description contained in a Will of
property, the subject of gift, shall, unless a contrary intention appears by
the Will, be deemed to refer to and comprise the property answering that
description at the death of the testator.
Section 91 - Power of appointment executed by general bequest
Unless a contrary intention appears by
the Will, a bequest of the estate of the testator shall be construed to include
any property which he may have power to appoint by Will to any object he may
think proper, and shall operate as an execution of such power; and a bequest of
property described in a general manner shall be construed to include any
property to which such description may extend, which he may have power to
appoint by Will to any object he may think proper, and shall operate as an
execution of such power.
Section 92 - Implied gift to objects of power in default of appointment
Where property is bequeathed to or for
the benefit of certain objects as a specified person may appoint or for the
benefit of certain objects in such proportions as a specified person may
appoint, and the Will does not provide for the event of no appointment being
made; if the power given by the Will is not exercised, the property belongs to
all the objects of the power in equal shares.A, by his Will bequeaths a fund to
his wife, for her life, and directs that at her death it shall be divided among
his children in such proportions as she shall appoint. The widow dies without
having made any appointment. The fund Will be divided equally among the
children.
Section 93 - Bequest to "heirs", etc., of particular person without qualifying terms
Where a bequest is made to the
"heirs" or "right heirs" or "relations" or ''nearest
relations" or "family" or "kindred" or "nearest
of kin" or "next-of-kin" of a particular person without any
qualifying terms, and the class so designated forms the direct and independent
object of the bequest, the property bequeathed shall be distributed as if it
had belonged to such person and he had died intestate in respect of it, leaving
assets for the payment of his debts independently of such property.
(i)
A
leaves his property "to my own nearest relations". The property goes
to those who would be entitled to it if A had died intestate, leaving assets
for the payment of his debts independently of such property.
(ii)
A
bequeaths 10,000 rupees "to B for his life, and, after the death of B, to
my own right heirs". The legacy after B's death belongs to those who would
be entitled to it if it had formed part of A's unbequeathed property.
(iii)
A
leaves his property to B; but if B dies before him, to B's next-of kin; B dies
before A; the property devolves as if it had belonged to B, and he had died
intestate, leaving assets for the payment of his debts independently of such
property.
(iv)
A
leaves 10,000 rupees "to B for his life, and after his decease to the
heirs of C". The legacy goes as if it had belonged to C, and he had died
intestate, leaving assets for the payment of his debt independently of the
legacy.
Section 94 - Bequest to "representatives", etc., of particular person
Where a bequest is made to the
"representatives" or "legal representatives" or
"personal representatives" or "executors or administrators"
of a particular person, and the class so designated forms the direct and
independent object of the bequest, the property bequeathed shall be distributed
as if it had belonged to such person and he had died intestate in respect of
it.A bequest is made to the "legal representatives" of A. A has died
intestate and insolvent. B is his administrator. B is entitled to receive the
legacy, and Will apply it in the first place to the discharge of such part of
A's debt as may remain unpaid: if there be any surplus B Will pay it to those
persons who at A's death would have been entitled to receive any property of
A's which might remain after payment of his debts, or to the representatives of
such persons.
Section 95 - Bequest without words of limitation
Where property is bequeathed to any
person, he is entitled to the whole interest of the testator therein, unless it
appears from the Will that only a restricted interest was intended for him.
Section 96 - Bequest in alternative
Where a property is bequeathed to a person
with a bequest in the alternative to another person or to a class of persons,
then, if a contrary intention does not appear by the Will, the legatee first
named shall be entitled to the legacy if he is alive at the time when it takes
effect; but if he is then dead, the person or class of persons named in the
second branch of the alternative shall take the legacy.
(i)
A
bequest is made to A or to B. A survives the testator. B takes nothing.
(ii)
A
bequest is made to A or to B. A dies after the date of the Will, and before the
testator. The legacy goes to B.
(iii)
A
bequest is made to A or to B. A is dead at the date of the Will. The legacy
goes to B.
(iv)
Property
is bequeathed to A or his heirs. A survives the testator. A takes the property
absolutely.
(v)
Properly
is bequeathed to A or his nearest of kin. A dies in the lifetime of the
testator. Upon the death of the testator, the bequest to A's nearest of kin
takes effect.
(vi)
Properly
is bequeathed to A for life, and after this death to B or his heirs. A and B
survive the testator. B dies in A's lifetime. Upon A's death the bequest to the
heirs of B takes effect.
(vii)
Property
is bequeathed to A for life, and after his death to B or his heirs. B dies in
the testator's lifetime. A survives the testator. Upon A's death the bequest to
the heirs of B takes effect.
Section 97 - Effect of words describing a class added to bequest to person
Where property is bequeathed to a
person, and words are added which describe a class of persons but do not denote
them as direct objects of a distinct and independent gift, such person is
entitled to the whole interest of the testator therein, unless a contrary
intention appears by the Will.
(i)
A
bequest is made?
(ii) to A and his
children,
(iii) to A and his children
by his present wife,
(iv) to A and his heirs,
(v) to A and the heirs of
his body,
(vi) to A and the heirs
male of his body,
(vii) to A and the heirs
female of his body,
(viii) to A and his issue,
to A and his family,
(ix) to A and his
descendants,
(x) to A and his
representatives,
(xi) to A and his personal
representatives,
(xii)
to
A, his executors and administrators.In each of these cases, A takes the whole
interest which the testator had in the property.
(xiii)
A
bequest is made to A and his brothers. A and his brothers are jointly entitled
to the legacy.
(xiv) A bequest is made to
A for life and after his death to his issue. At the death of A the property
belongs in equal shares to all persons who then answer the description of issue
of A.
Section 98 - Bequest to class of persons under general description only
Where a bequest is made to a class of
persons under a general description only, no one to whom the words of the
description are not in their ordinary sense applicable shall take the legacy.
Section 99 - Construction of terms
In a Will?
(a)
the
word "children" applies only to lineal descendants in the first
degree of the person whose "children" are spoken of;
(b)
the
word "grand-children" applies only to lineal descendants in the
second degree of the person whose ''grand-children" are spoken of;
(c)
the
words "nephews" and "nieces" apply only to children of
brothers or sisters;
(d)
the
words "cousins", or "first cousins", or
"cousins-german", apply only to children of brothers or of sisters of
the father or mother of the person whose "cousins", or "first
cousins", or "cousins-german", are spoken of;
(e)
the
words "first cousins once removed" apply only to children of
cousins-german, or to cousins-german of a parent of the person whose
"first cousins once removed" are spoken of;
(f)
the
words "second cousins" apply only to grand-children of brothers or of
sisters of the grandfather or grandmother of the person whose "second
cousins" are spoken of;
(g)
the
words "issue" and "descendants" apply to all lineal
descendants whatever of the person whose "issue" or
"descendants" are spoken of;
(h)
words
expressive of collateral relationship apply alike to relatives of full and of
half blood; and
(i)
all
words expressive of relationship apply to a child in the womb who is afterwards
born alive.
Section 100 - Words expressing relationship denote only legitimate relatives or failing such relatives reputed legitimate
In the absence of any intimation to the
contrary in a Will, the word "child", the word "son", the
word "daughter" or any word which expresses relationship, is to be
understood as denoting only a legitimate relative, or, where there is no such
legitimate relative, a person who has acquired, at the date of the Will, the
reputation of being such relative.
(i)
A
having three children, B, C and A of whom B and Care legitimate and D is
illegitimate leaves his property to be equally divided among "my
children". The property belongs to B and C in equal shares, to the
exclusion of D.
(ii) A, having a niece of
illegitimate birth, who has acquired the reputation of being his niece and
having no legitimate niece, bequeaths a sum of money to his niece. The
illegitimate niece is entitled to the legacy.
(iii) A, having in his Will
enumerated his children, and named as one of them B, who is illegitimate,
leaves a legacy to "my said children". B Will take a share in the
legacy along with the legitimate children.
(iv) A leaves a legacy to
"the children of B". B is dead and has left none but illegitimate
children. All those who had at the date of the Will acquired the reputation of
being the children of B are objects of the gift.
(v) A bequeaths a legacy
to "the children of B". B never had any legitimate child. C and D
had, at the date of the Will, acquired the reputation of being children of B.
After the date of the Will and before the death of the testator, E and F were
born, and acquired the reputation of being children of B. Only C and D are
objects of the bequest.
(vi) A makes a bequest in
favour of his child by a certain woman, not his wife. B had acquired at the
date of the Will the reputation of being the child of A by the woman designated.
B takes the legacy.
(vii) A makes a bequest in
favour of his child to be born of a woman who never becomes his wife. The
bequest is void.
(viii)
A
makes a bequest in favour of the child of which a certain woman, not married to
him, is pregnant. The bequest is void.
Section 101 - Rules of construction where Will purports to make two bequests to same person
Where a Will purports to make two
bequests to the same person, and a question arises whether the testator
intended to make the second bequest instead of or in addition to the first; if
there is nothing in the Will to show what he intended, the following rules
shall have effect in determining the construction to be put upon the Will:?
(a)
If
the same specific thing is bequeathed twice to the same legatee in the same
Will or in the Will and again in the codicil, he is entitled to receive that
specific thing only.
(b)
Where
one and the same Will or one and the same codicil purports to make, in two
places, a bequest to the same person of the same quantity or amount of
anything, he shall be entitled to one such legacy only.
(c)
Where
two legacies of unequal amount are given to the same person in the same Will,
or in the same codicil, the legatee is entitled to both.
(d)
Where
two legacies, whether equal or unequal in amount, are given to the same
legatee, one by a Will and the other by a codicil, or each by a different
codicil, the legatee is entitled to both legacies.
Explanation: In clauses (a) to (d) of
this section, the word "Will" does not include a codicil.
(i)
A,
having ten shares, and no more, in the Imperial Bank of India, made his Will,
which contains near its commencement the words "I bequeath my ten shares
in the Imperial Bank of India to B". After other bequests, the Will
concludes with the words "and I bequeath my ten shares in the Imperial
Bank of India to B". B is entitled simply to receive A 's ten shares in
the Imperial Bank of India.
(ii)
A,
having one diamond ring, which was given to him by B, bequeaths to C the
diamond ring which was given by B. A afterwards made a codicil to his Will, and
thereby, after giving other legacies, he bequeathed to C the diamond ring which
was given to him by B, C can claim nothing except the diamond ring which was
given to A by B.
(iii)
A,
by his Will, bequeaths to B the sum of 5,000 rupees and afterwards in the same
Will repeats the bequest in the same words. B is entitled to one legacy of
5,000 rupees only,
(iv)
A,
by his Will, bequeaths to B the sum of 5,000 rupees and afterwards in the same
Will bequeaths to B the sum of 6,000 rupees. B is entitled to receive 11,000
rupees.
(v)
A,
by his Will, bequeaths to B 5,000 rupees and by a codicil to the Will he
bequeaths to him 5,000 rupees. B is entitled to receive 10,000 rupees.
(vi)
A,
by one codicil to his Will, bequeaths to B 5,000 rupees and by another codicil
bequeaths to him, 6,000 rupees. B is entitled to receive 11,000 rupees.
(vii)
A,
by his Will, bequeaths "500 rupees to B because she was my nurse",
and in another part of the Will bequeaths 500 rupees to B "because she
went to England with my children". B is entitled to receive 1,000 rupees.
(viii)
A,
by his Will, bequeaths to B the sum of 5,000 rupees and also, in another part
of the Will, an annuity of 400 rupees. B is entitled to both legacies.
(ix)
A,
by his Will, bequeaths to B the sum of 5,000 rupees and also bequeaths to him
the sum of 5,000 rupees if he shall attain the age of 18. B is entitled
absolutely to one sum of 5,000 rupees, and takes a contingent interest in
another sum of 5,000 rupees.
Section 102 - Constitution of residuary legatee
A residuary legatee may be constituted
by any words that show an intention on the part of the testator that the person
designated shall take the surplus or residue of his property.
(i)
A
makes her Will, consisting of several testamentary papers, in one of which are
contained the following words:?"I think there Will be something led, after
all funeral expenses, etc., to give to B, now at school, towards equipping him
to any profession he may hereafter be appointed to". B is constituted
residuary legatee.
(ii)
A
makes his Will, with the following passage at the end of it:?"I believe
there Will be found sufficient in my banker's hands to defray and discharge my
debts, which I hereby, desire B to do, and keep the residue for her own use and
pleasure". B is constituted the residuary legatee.
(iii)
A
bequeaths all his property to B, except certain stocks and funds, which he
bequeath to C. B is the residuary legatee.
Section 103 - Property to which residuary legatee entitled
Under a residuary bequest, the legatee
is entitled to all property belonging to the testator at the time of his death,
of which he has not made any other testamentary disposition which is capable of
taking effect.A by his Will bequeaths certain legacies, of which one is void
under section 118, and another lapses by the death of the legatee. He bequeaths
the residue of his property to B. After the date of his Will A purchases a
zamindari, which belongs to him at the time of his death. B is entitled to the
two legacies and the zamindari as part of the residue.
Section 104 - Time of vesting legacy in general terms
If a legacy is given in general terms,
without specifying the time when it is to be paid, the legatee has a vested
interest in it from the day of the death of the testator, and, if he dies
without having received it, it shall pass to his representatives.
Section 105 - In what case legacy lapses
(1)
If
the legatee does not survive the testator, the legacy cannot take effect, but
shall lapse and form part of the residue of the testator's property, unless it
appears by the Will that the testator intended that it should go to some other
person.
(2)
In
order to entitle the representatives of the legatee to receive the legacy, it
must be proved that he survived the testator.
(i)
The
testator bequeaths to B " 500 rupees which B owes me" .B dies before
the testator; the legacy lapses.
(ii) A bequest is made to
A and his children. A dies before the testator, or happens to be dead when the
Will is made. The legacy to A and his children lapses.
(iii) A legacy is given to
A, and, in case of his dying before the testator, to B. A dies before the
testator. The legacy goes to B.
(iv) A sum of money is
bequeathed to A for life, and after his death to B. A dies in the lifetime of
the testator; B survives the testator. The bequest to B takes effect.
(v) A sum of money is
bequeathed to A on his completing his eighteenth year, and in case he should
die before he completes his eighteenth year, to B. A completes his eighteenth
year, and dies in the lifetime of the testator. The legacy to A lapses, and the
bequest to ii does not take effect.
(vi)
The
testator and the legatee perished in the same ship-wreck. There is no evidence
to show which died first. The legacy lapses.
Section 106 - Legacy does not lapse if one of two joint legatees die before testator
If a legacy is given to two persons
jointly, and one of them dies before the testator, the other legatee takes the
whole.
The legacy is simply to A and B. A dies
before the testator. B takes the legacy.
Section 107 - Effect of words showing testator's intention to give distinct shares
If a legacy is given to legatees in
words which show that the testator intended to give them distinct shares of it,
then, if any legatee dies before the testator, so much of the legacy as was
intended for him shall fall into the residue of the testator's property.A sum
of money is bequeathed to A, B and C, to be equally divided among them. A dies
before the testator, B and C Will only take so much as they would have had if A
had survived the testator.
Section 108 - When lapsed share goes as undisposed of
Where a share which lapses is a part of
the general residue bequeathed by the Will, that share shall go as undisposed
of.The testator bequeaths me residue of his estate to A, B and C, to be equally
divided between them. A dies before the testator. His one-third of the residue
goes as undisposed of.
Section 109 - When bequest to testator's child or lineal descendant does not lapse on his death in testator's lifetime
Where a bequest has been made to any
child or other lineal descendant of the testator, and the legatee dies in the
lifetime of the testator, but any lineal descendant of his survives the
testator, the bequest shall not lapse, but shall take effect if the death of
the legatee had happened immediately after the death of the testator, unless a
contrary intention appears by the Will.A makes his Will, by which he bequeaths
a sum of money to his son, B, for his own absolute use and benefit. B dies
before A, leaving a son, C, who survives A, and having made his Will whereby he
bequeaths all his property to his widow. D. The money goes to D.
Section 110 - Bequest to A for benefit of B does not lapse by A's death
Where a bequest is made to one person,
for the benefit of another, the legacy does not lapse by the death, in the
testator's lifetime, of the person to whom the bequest is made.
Section 111 - Survivorship in case of bequest to described class
Where a bequest is made simply to a
described class of persons, the thing bequeathed shall go only to such as are
alive at the testator's death.
Exception.?If property is bequeathed to
a class of persons described as standing in a particular degree of kindred to a
specified individual, but their possession of it is deferred until a time later
than the death of the testator by reason of a prior bequest or otherwise, the
property shall at that time go to such of them as are then alive, and to the
representatives of any of them who have died since the death of testator.
(i)
A
bequeaths, 1,000 rupees to "the children of B" without saying when it
is to be distributed among them. B had died previous to the date of the Will,
leaving three children, C, D and E. E died after the date of the Will, but
before the death of A.C and D survive A. The legacy Will belong to C and D, to
the exclusion of the representatives of E.
(ii) A lease for years of
a house, was bequeathed to A for his life, and after his decease to the
children of B. At the death of the testator, B had two children living, C and
D, and he never had any other child. Afterwards, during the lifetime of A, C
died, leaving E, his executor. D has survived A, D and E are jointly entitled
to so much of the leasehold term as remains unexpired.
(iii)
A
sum of money was bequeathed to A for her life, and after her decease to the
children of B. At the death of the testator, B had two children living, C and D
and, after that event, two children E and F, were born to B, C and E died in
the lifetime of A, C having made a Will, E having made no Will. A has died,
leaving D and F surviving her. The legacy is lobe divided into four equal
parts, one of which is to be paid to the executor of C, one of the
administrator of E and one to F.
(iv)
A
bequeaths one-third of his land to B for his life, and after his decease to the
sisters of B. At the death of the testator, B had two sisters living C and D,
and after that event another sister E was born. C died during the life of B, D
and E have survived B. One-third of A's land belong to D, E and the
representatives of C, in equal shares.
(v)
A
bequeaths, 1,000 rupees to B for life and after his death equally among the
children of C. Up to the death of B, C had not had any child. The bequest after
the death of B is void.
(vi)
A
bequeaths 1,000 rupees to "all the children born or to be born" of B
to be divided among them at the death of C. At the death of the testator, B has
two children living, D and E. After the death of the testator, but in the
lifetime of C, two other children, F and G, are born to B. After the death of
C, another child is born to B. The legacy belongs to D, E, F and G to the
exclusion of the after-born child of B.
(vii)
A
bequeaths a fund to the children of B, to be divided among them when the eldest
shall attain majority. At the testator's death, B had one child living, named
C. He afterwards had two other children, named D and E.E died, but C and D were
living when C attained majority. The fund belongs to C, D and the
representatives of E, to the exclusion of any child who may be born to B after
C's attaining majority.
Section 112 - Bequest to person by particular description, who is not in existence at testator's death
Where a bequest is made to a person by
a particular description, and there is no person in existence at the testator's
death who answers the description, the bequest is void.
Exception.?If property is bequeathed to
a person described as standing in a particular degree of kindred to a specified
individual, but his possession of it is deferred until a time later than the
death of the testator, by reason of a prior bequest or otherwise; and if a
person answering the description is alive at the death of the testator, or
comes into existence between that event, such later time and the property
shall, at such later time, go to that person, or, if he is dead, to his
representatives.
(i)
A
bequeaths 1,000 rupees to the eldest son of B. At the death of the testator, B
has no son. The bequest is void.
(ii)
A
bequeaths 1,000 rupees to B for life, and after his death to the eldest son of
C. At the death of the testator. C had no son. Afterwards, during the life of
B, a son is born to C. Upon B's death the legacy goes to C's son.
(iii) A bequeaths 1,000
rupees to B for life, and after his death to the eldest son of C. At the death
of the testator, C had no son. Afterwards, during the life of B, a son, named
D, is born to C. D dies, then B dies. The legacy goes to the representative of
D.
(iv) A bequeaths his
estate of Green Acre to B for life, and at his decease, to the eldest son of C.
Up to the death of B, C has had no son. The bequest to C's eldest son is void.
(v)
A
bequeaths 1,000 rupees to the eldest son of C, to be paid to him after the
death of B. At the death of the testator C has no son, but a son is afterwards
born to him during the life of B and is alive at B's death. C's son is entitled
to the 1,000 rupees.
Section 113 - Bequest to person not in existence at testator's death subject to prior bequest
Where a bequest is made to a person not
in existence at the time of the testator's death, subject to a prior bequest
contained in the will, the later bequest shall be void, unless it comprises the
whole of the remaining interest of the testator in the thing bequeathed.
(i)
Property
is bequeathed to A for his life, and after his death to his eldest son for
life, and after the death of the latter to his eldest son. At the time of the
testator's death, A has no son. Here the bequest to A's eldest son is a bequest
to a person not in existence at the testator's death. It is not a bequest of
the whole interest that remains to the testator. The bequest to A's eldest son for
his life is void.
(ii)
A
fund is bequeathed to A for his life, and after his death to his daughters. A
survives the testator. A has daughters some of whom were not in existence at
the testator's death. The bequest to A's daughters comprises the whole interest
that remains to the testator in the thing bequeathed. The bequest to A's
daughters is valid.
(iii)
A
fund is bequeathed to A for his life, and after his death to his daughters,
with a direction that, if any of them marries under the age of eighteen, her
portion shall be settled so that it may belong to herself for life and may be
divisible among her children after her death. A has no daughters living at the
time of the testator's death, but has daughters born afterwards who survive
him. Here the direction for a settlement has the effect in the case of each
daughter who marries under eighteen of substituting for the absolute bequest to
her a bequest to her merely for her life; that is to say, a bequest to a person
not in existence at the time of the testator's death of something which is less
than the whole interest that remains to the testator in the thing bequeathed.
The direction to settle the fund is void.
(iv)
A
bequeaths a sum of money to B for life, and directs that upon the death of B
the fund shall be settled upon his daughters, so that the portion of each
daughter may belong to herself for life, and may be divided among her children
after death. B has no daughter living at the time of the testator's death. In
this case the only bequest to the daughters of B is contained in the direction
to settle the fund, and this direction amounts to a bequest to persons not yet
born, of a life-interest in the fund, that is to say, of something which is
less than the whole interest that remains to the testator in the thing bequeathed.
The direction to settle the fund upon the daughters of B is void.
Section 114 - Rule against perpetuity
No bequest is valid whereby the vesting
of the thing bequeathed may be delayed beyond the life-time of one or more
persons living at the testator's death and the minority of some person who
shall be existence at the expiration of that period, and to whom, if he attains
full age, the thing bequeathed is to belong.
(i)
A
fund is bequeathed to A for his life and after his death to B for his life; and
after B's death to such of the sons of B as shall first attain the age of 25. A
and B survive the testator. Here the son of B who shall first attain the age of
25 may be a son born after the death of the testator; such son may not attain
25 until more than 18 years have elapsed from the death of the longer liver of
A and B; and the vesting of the fund may thus be delayed beyond the lifetime of
A and B and the minority of the sons of B. The bequest after B's death is void.
(ii)
A
fund is bequeathed to A for his life, and after his death to B for his life,
and after B's death to such of B's sons as shall first attain the age of 25. B
dies in the lifetime of the testator, leaving one or more sons. In this case
the sons of B are persons living at the time of the testator's decease, and the
time when either of them will attain 25 necessarily falls within his own
lifetime. The bequest is valid.
(iii) A fund is bequeathed
to A for his life, and after his death to B for his life, with a direction that
after B's death it shall be divided amongst such of B's children as shall
attain the age of 18, but that, if no child of B shall attain that age, the
fund shall go to C. Here the time for the division of the fund must arrive at
the latest at the expiration of 18 years from the death of B, a person living
at the testator's decease. All the bequests are valid.
(iv)
A
fund is bequeathed to trustees for the benefit of the testator's daughters,
with a direction that, if any of them marry under age, her share of the fund
shall be settled so as to devolve after her death upon such of her children as
shall attain the age of 18. Any daughter of the testator to whom the direction
applies must be in existence at his decease, and any portion of the fund which
may eventually be settled as directed must vest not later than 18 years from
the death of the daughters whose share it was. All these provisions are valid.
Section 115 - Bequest to a class some of whom may come under rules in sections 113 and 114
If a bequest is made to a class of
persons with regard to some of whom it is inoperative by reason of the
provisions of section 113 or section 114, such bequest shall be [62][void
in regard to those persons only, and not in regard to the whole class].
(i)
A
fund is bequeathed to A for life, and after his death to all his children who
shall attain the age of 25. A survives the testator, and has some children
living at the testator's death. Each child of A's living at the testator's
death must attain the age of 25 (if at all) within the limits allowed for a bequest.
But A may have children after the testator's decease, some of whom may not
attain the age of 25 until more than 18 years have elapsed after the decease of
A. The bequest to A's children, therefore, is inoperative as to any child born
after the testator's death; [63][and
in regard to those who do not attain the age of 25 within 18 years after A's
death, but is operative in regard to the other children of A].
(ii)
A
fund is bequeathed to A for his life, and after his death to B, C, D and all
other children of A who shall attain the age of 25. B, C, D are children of A
living at the testator's decease. In all other respects the case is the same as
that supposed in Illustration (i). [64][Although
the mention of B, C and D does not prevent the bequest from being regarded as a
bequest to a class, it is not wholly void. It is operative as regards any of
the children B, C or D, who attains the age of 25 within 18 years after A's
death.]
Section 116 - Bequest to take effect on failure of prior bequest
[65][116. Bequest to take
effect on failure of prior bequest
Where by reason of any of the rules
contained in sections 113 and 114, any bequest in favour of a person or of a
class of persons is void in regard to such person or the whole of such class,
any bequest contained in the same will and intended to take effect after or
upon failure of such prior bequest is also void.]
(i)
A
fund is bequeathed to A for his life, and after his death to such of his sons
as shall first attain the age of 25, for his life, and after the decease of
such son to B. A and B survive the testator. The bequest to B is intended to
take effect after the bequest to such of the sons of A as shall first attain the
age of 25, which bequest is void under section 114. The bequest to B is void.
(ii)
A
fund is bequeathed to A for his life, and after his death to such of his sons
as shall first attain the age of 25, and if no son of A shall attain that age,
to B. A and B survive the testator. The bequest to B is intended to take effect
upon failure of the bequest to such of A's sons as shall first attain the age
of 25, which bequest is void under section 114. The bequest to B is void.
Section 117 - Effect of direction for accumulation
[66][117. Effect of
direction for accumulation
(1)
Where
the terms of a will direct that the income arising from any property shall be
accumulated either wholly or in part during any period longer than a period of
eighteen years from the death of the testator, such direction shall, save as
hereinafter provided, be void to the extent to which the period during which
the accumulation is directed exceeds the aforesaid period, and at the end of
such period of eighteen years the property and the income thereof shall be
disposed of as if the period during which the accumulation has been directed to
be made had elapsed.
(2)
This
section shall not effect any direction for accumulation for the purpose of-
(i)
the
payment of the debts of the testator or any other person taking any interest
under the Will, or
(ii)
the
provision of portions for children or remoter issue of the testator or of any
other person taking any interest under the Will, or
(iii)
the
preservation or maintenance of any property bequeathed, and such direction may
be made accordingly.]
Section 118 - Bequest to religious or charitable uses
No man having a nephew or niece or any
nearer relative shall have power to bequeath any property to religious or
charitable uses, except by a will executed not less than twelve months before
his death, and deposited within six months from its execution in some place
provided by law for the safe custody of the wills of living persons:[67][Provided
that nothing in this section shall apply to a Parsi.]A having a nephew makes a
bequest by a will not executed and deposited as required-
(i)
for
the relief of poor people;
(ii)
for
the maintenance of sick soldiers;
(iii)
for
the erection or support of a hospital;
(iv)
for
the education and preferment of orphans;
(v)
for
the support of scholars;
(vi)
for
the erection or support of a school;
(vii)
for
the building and repairs of a bridge;
(viii)
for
the making of roads;
(ix)
for
the erection or support of a church;
(x)
for
the repairs of a church;
(xi)
for
the benefit of ministers of religion;
(xii)
for
the formation or support of a public garden;All these bequests are void.
Section 119 - Date of vesting of legacy when payment or possession postponed
Where by the terms of a bequest the
legatee is not entitled to immediate possession of the thing bequeathed, a
right to receive it at the proper time shall, unless a contrary intention
appears by the will, become vested in the legatee on the testator's death, and
shall pass to the legatee's representatives if he dies before that time and
without having received the legacy, and in such cases the legacy is from the
testator's death said to be vested in interest.
Explanation.?An intention that a legacy
to any person shall not become vested in interest in him is not to be inferred
merely from a provision whereby the payment or possession of the thing
bequeathed is postponed, or whereby a prior interest therein is bequeathed to
some other person, or whereby the income arising from the fund bequeathed is
directed to be accumulated until the time of payment arrives, or from a provision
that, if a particular event shall happen, the legacy shall go over to another
person.
(i)
A
bequeaths to B 100 rupees, to be paid to him at the death of C. On A's death
the legacy becomes vested in interest in B, and if he dies before C, his representatives
are entitled to the legacy.
(ii) A bequeaths to B 100
rupees, to be paid to him upon his attaining the age of 18. On A's death the
legacy becomes vested in interest in B.
(iii) A fund is bequeathed
to A for life, and after his death to B. On the testator's death the legacy to
B becomes vested in interest in B.
(iv) A fund is bequeathed
to A until B attains the age of 18 and then to B. The legacy to B is vested in
interest from the testator's death.
(v)
A
bequeaths the whole of his property to B upon trust to pay certain debts out of
the income and then to make over the fund to C. At A's death the gift to C
becomes vested in interest in him.
(vi)
A
fund is bequeathed to A, B and C in equal shares to be paid to them on their
attaining the age of 18, respectively, with a proviso that, if all of them die
under the age of 18, the legacy shall devolve upon D. On the death of the
testator, the shares vested in interest in A, B and C, subject to be divested
in case A, B and C shall all die under 18 and, upon the death of any of them
(except the last survivor) under the age of 18, his vested interest passes, so
subject, to his representatives.
Section 120 - Date of vesting when legacy contingent upon specified uncertain event
(1)
A
legacy bequeathed in case a specified uncertain event shall happen does not
vest until that event happens.
(2)
A
legacy bequeathed in case a specified uncertain event shall not happen does not
vest until the happening of that event becomes impossible.
(3)
In
either case, until the condition has been fulfilled, the interest of the
legatee is called contingent.
Exception.-Where a fund is bequeathed
to any person upon his attaining a particular age, and the will also gives to
him absolutely the income to arise from the fund before he reaches that age, or
directs the income, or so much of it as may be necessary, to be applied for his
benefit, the bequest of the fund is not contingent.
(i)
A
legacy is bequeathed to D incase A, B and C shall all die under the age of 18.
D has a contingent interest in the legacy until A, B and C all die under 18, or
one of them attains that age.
(ii) A sum of money is
bequeathed to A "in case he shall attain the age of 18", or
"when he shall attain the age of 18".A's interest in the legacy is
contingent until the condition is fulfilled by his attaining that age.
(iii) An estate is
bequeathed to A for life, and after his death to B if B shall then be living;
but if B shall not be then living to C. A, B and Csurvive the testator. B and C
each take a contingent interest in the estate until the event which is to vest
it in one or in the other has happened.
(iv) An estate is
bequeathed as in the case last supposed. B dies in the lifetime of A and C.
Upon the death of B,C acquires a vested right to obtain possession of the
estate upon A's death.
(v) A legacy is
bequeathed to A when he shall attain the age of 18, or shall marry under that
age with the consent of B,with a proviso that if she neither attains 18 nor
marries under that age with B's consent, the legacy shall go to C. A and C each
take a contingent interest in the legacy. A attains the age of 18. A becomes
absolutely entitled to the legacy although she may have married under 18
without the consent of B.
(vi) An estate is
bequeathed to A until he shall marry and after that event to B. B's interest in
the bequest is contingent until the condition is fulfilled by A's marrying.
(vii) An estate is
bequeathed to A until he shall take advantage of any law for the relief of
insolvent debtors, and after that event to B. B's interest in the bequest is
contingent until A takes advantage of such a law.
(viii) An estate is
bequeathed to A if he shall pay 500 rupees to B. A's interest in the
bequest is contingent until he has paid 500 rupees to B.
(ix) A leaves his farm of
SultanpurKhurd to B, if B shall convey his own farm of SultanpurBuzurg to C.
B's interest in the bequest is contingent until he has conveyed the latter farm
to C.
(x) A fund is bequeathed
to A if B shall not marry C within five years after the testator's death. A's
interest in the legacy is contingent until the condition is fulfilled by the
expiration of the five years without B's having married C, or by the occurrence
within that period of an event which makes the fulfillment of the condition
impossible.
(xi) A fund is bequeathed
to A if B shall not make any provision for him by will. The legacy is
contingent until B's death.
(xii) A bequeaths of B 500
rupees a year upon his attaining the age of18,and directs that the interest, or
a competent part thereof, shall be applied for his benefit until he reaches
that age. The legacy is vested.
(xiii)
A
bequeaths to B 500 rupees when he shall attain the age of 18and directs that a
certain sum, out of another fund, shall be applied for his maintenance until he
arrive sat that age. The legacy is contingent.
Section 121 - Vesting of interest in bequest to such members of a class as shall have attained particular age
Where a bequest is made only to such
members of a class as shall have attained a particular age, a person who has
not attained that age cannot have a vested interest in the legacy.A fund is
bequeathed to such of the children of A as shall attain the age of 18, with a
direction that, while any child of A shall be under the age of 18, the income
of the share, to which it may be presumed he will be eventually entitled, shall
be applied for his maintenance and education. No child of A who is under the
age of 18 has a vested interest in the bequest.
Section 122 - Onerous bequests
Where a bequest imposes an obligation
on the legatee, he can take nothing by it unless he accepts it fully.A, having
shares in (X), a prosperous joint stock company and also shares in (Y), a joint
stock company in difficulties, in respect of which shares heavy calls are
expected to be made, bequeaths to B all his shares in joint stock companies; B
refuses to accept the shares in (Y). He forfeits the shares in (X).
Section 123 - One of two separate and independent bequests to same person may be accepted, and other refused
Where a will contains two separate and
independent bequests to the same person, the legatee is at liberty to accept
one of them and refuse the other, although the former may be beneficial and the
latter onerous.A, having a lease for a term of years of a house at a rent which
he and his representatives are bound to pay during the term, and which is
higher than the house can be let for, bequeaths to B the lease and a sum of
money. B refuses to accept the lease. He will not by this refusal forfeit the
money.
Section 124 - Bequest contingent upon specified uncertain event, no time being mentioned for its occurrence
Where a legacy is given if a specified
uncertain event shall happen and no time is mentioned in the will for the
occurrence of that event, the legacy cannot take effect, unless such event
happens before the period when the fund bequeathed is payable or distributable.
(i)
A
legacy is bequeathed to A, and, in case of his death, to B. If A survives the
testator, the legacy to B does not take effect.
(ii) A legacy is
bequeathed to A and in case of his death without children, to B. If A survives
the testator or dies in his lifetime leaving a child, the legacy to B does not
take effect.
(iii) A legacy is
bequeathed to A when and if he attains the age of 18, and, in case of his
death, to B. A attains the age of 18. The legacy to B does not take effect.
(iv) A legacy is
bequeathed to A for life, and, after his death to B, and, "in case of B's
death without children", to C. The words "in case of B's death
without children" are to be understood as meaning in case B dies without
children during the lifetime of A.
(v)
A
legacy is bequeathed to A for life, and, after his death to B, and, "in
case of B's death" to C. The words "in case of B's death" are to
be considered as meaning "in case B dies in the lifetime of A".
Section 125 - Bequest to such of certain persons as shall be surviving at some period not specified
Where a bequest is made to such of
certain persons as shall be surviving at some period, but the exact period is
not specified, the legacy shall go to such of them as are alive at the time of
payment or distribution, unless a contrary intention appears by the will.
(i)
Property
is bequeathed to A and B to be equally divided between them, or to the survivor
of them. If both A and B survive the testator, the legacy is equally divided
between them. If A dies before the testator, and B survives the testator, it
goes to B.
(ii) Property is
bequeathed to A for life, and, after his death, to B and C, to be equally
divided between them, or to the survivor of them. B dies during the life of A;
C survives A. At A's death the legacy goes to C.
(iii) Property is
bequeathed to A for life, and after his death to B and C, or the survivor, with
a direction that, if B should not survive the testator, his children are to
stand in his place. C dies during the life of the testator; B survives the
testator, but dies in the lifetime of A. The legacy goes to the representative
of B.
(iv)
Property
is bequeathed to A for life, and, after his death, to B and C, with a direction
that, in case either of them dies in the lifetime of A, the whole shall go to
the survivor. B dies in the lifetime of A. Afterwards C dies in the lifetime of
A. The legacy goes to the representative of C.
Section 126 - Bequest upon impossible condition
A bequest upon an impossible condition
is void.
(i)
An
estate is bequeathed to A on condition that he shall walk 100 miles in an hour.
The bequest is void.
(ii)
A
bequeaths 500 rupees to B on condition that he shall marry A's daughter. A's
daughter was dead at the date of the will. The bequest is void.
Section 127 - Bequest upon illegal or immoral condition
A bequest upon a condition, the
fulfillment of which would be contrary to law or to morality is void.A
bequeaths 500 rupees to B on condition that he shall murder C. The bequest is
void.A bequeaths 5,000 rupees to his niece if she will desert her husband. The
bequest is void.
Section 128 - Fulfilment of condition precedent to vesting of legacy
Where a Will imposes a condition to be
fulfilled before the legatee can take a vested interest in the thing
bequeathed, the condition shall be considered to have been fulfilled if it has
been substantially complied with.
(i)
A
legacy is bequeathed to A on condition that he shall marry with the consent to
B, C, D and E. A marries with the written consent of B, C is present at the
marriage. D sends a present to A previous to the marriage. E has been
personally informed by A of his intentions, and has made no objection. A has
fulfilled the condition.
(ii)
A
legacy is bequeathed to A on condition that he shall marry with the consent of
B, C and D. D dies. A marries with the consent of B and C. A has fulfilled the
condition.
(iii)
A
legacy is bequeathed to A on condition that he shall marry with the consent of
B, C and D. A marries in the lifetime of B, C and D, with the consent of B and
C only. A has not fulfilled the condition.
(iv)
A
legacy is bequeathed to A on condition that he shall marry with the consent of
B, C and D. A obtains the unconditional assent of B, C and D to his marriage
with E. Afterwards B, C and D capriciously retract their consent. A marries E.
A has fulfilled the condition.
(v)
A
legacy is bequeathed to A on condition that he shall marry with the consent of
B, C and D. A marries without the consent of B, C and D, but obtains their
consent after the marriage. A has not fulfilled the condition.
(vi)
A
makes his Will whereby he bequeaths a sum of money to B if B shall marry with
the consent of A's executors. B marries during the lifetime of A, and A
afterwards expresses his approbation of the marriage. A dies. The bequest to B
takes effect.
(vii)
A
legacy is bequeathed to A if he executes a certain document within a time
specified in the Will. The document is executed by A within a reasonable time,
but not within the time specified in the Will. A has not performed the
condition, and is not entitled to receive the legacy.
Section 129 - Bequest to A and on failure of prior bequest to B
Where there is a bequest to one person
and a bequest of the same thing to another, if the prior bequest shall fail,
the second bequest shall take effect upon the failure of the prior bequest
although the failure may not have occurred in the manner contemplated by the
testator.
(i)
A
bequeaths a sum of money to his own children surviving him, and, if they all
die under 18, to B. A dies without having ever had a child. The bequest to B
takes effect.
(ii)
A
bequeaths a sum of money to B, on condition that he shall execute a certain
document within three months after A's death and, if he should neglect to do
so, to C. B dies in the testator's life-time. The bequest to C takes effect.
Section 130 - When second bequest not to take effect on failure of first
Where the Will shows an intention that
the second bequest shall take effect only in the event of the first bequest
failing in a particular manner, the second bequest shall not take effect,
unless the prior bequest fails in that particular manner.A makes a bequest to
his wife, but in case she should die in his lifetime, bequeaths to B that which
he had bequeathed to her. A and his wife perish together, under circumstances
which make it impossible to prove that she died before him, the bequest to B
does not take effect.
Section 131 - Bequest over conditional upon happening or not happening of specified uncertain event
(1)
A
bequest may be made to any person with the condition super-added that, in case
a specified uncertain event shall happen, the thing bequeathed shall go to
another person, or that in case a specified uncertain event shall not happen,
the thing bequeathed shall go over to another person.
(2)
In
each case the ulterior bequest is subject to the rules contained in sections
120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 129 and 130.
(i)
A
sum of money is bequeathed to A, to be paid to him at the age of 18, and if he
shall die before he attains that age, to B. A takes a vested interest in the
legacy, subject to be divested and to go to B in case A dies under 18.
(ii)
An
estate is bequeathed to A with a proviso that if A shall dispute the competency
of the testator to make a Will, the estate shall go to B. A disputes the
competency of the testator to make a Will. The estate goes to B.
(iii)
A
sum of money is bequeathed to A for life, and, after his death, to B, but if B
shall then be dead leaving a son, such son is to stand in the place of B. B
takes a vested interest in the legacy, subject to be divested if he dies
leaving a son in A's lifetime.
(iv)
A
sum of money is bequeathed to A and B, and if either should die during the life
of C, then to the survivor living at the death of C. A and B die before C. The
gift over cannot take effect, but the representative of A takes one-half of the
money, and the representative of B takes the other half.
(v)
A
bequeaths to B the interest of a fund for life, and directs the fund to be
divided at her death equally among her three children, or such of them as shall
be living at her death. All the children of B die in B's lifetime. The bequest
over cannot take effect, but the interests of the children pass to their
representatives.
Section 132 - Condition must be strictly fulfilled
An ulterior bequest of the kind contemplated
by section 131 cannot take effect, unless the condition is strictly fulfilled.
(i)
A
legacy is bequeathed to A, with a proviso that, if he marries without the
consent of B, C and D, the legacy shall go to E. D dies. Even if A marries
without the consent of B and C, the gift of E does not take effect.
(ii)
A
legacy is bequeathed to A, with a proviso that, if he marries without the
consent of B, the legacy shall go to C. A marries with the consent of B. He
afterwards becomes a widower and marries again without the consent of B. The
bequest to C does not take effect.
(iii)
A
legacy is bequeathed to A, to be paid at 18, or marriage, with a proviso that,
if A dies under 18 or marries without the consent of B, the legacy shall go to
C. A marries under 18, without the consent of B. The bequest to C takes effect.
Section 133 - Original bequest not affected by invalidity of second
If the ulterior bequest be not valid
the original bequest is not affected by it.
(i)
An
estate is bequeathed to A for his life with condition super-added that, if he
shall not on a given day walk 100 miles in an hour, the estate shall go to B.
The condition being void, A retains his estate as if no condition had been
inserted in the Will.
(ii)
An
estate is bequeathed to A for her life and, if she do not desert her husband,
to B, A is entitled to the estate during her life as if no condition had been
inserted in the Will.
(iii)
An
estate is bequeathed to A for life, and, if he marries, to the eldest son of B
for life. B at the date of the testator's death, has not had a son. The bequest
over is void under section 105, and A is entitled to the estate during his
life.
Section 134 - Bequest conditioned that it shall cease to have effect in case a specified uncertain event shall happen, or not happen
A bequest may be made with the
condition super-added that it shall cease to have effect in case a specified
uncertain event shall happen, or in case a specified uncertain
event(891"> shall not happen.
(i)
An
estate is bequeathed to A for his life, with a proviso that, incase he shall
cut down a certain wood, the bequest shall cease to have any effect. A cuts
down the wood. He loses his life-interest in the estate.
(ii)
An
estate is bequeathed to A, provided that, if he marries under the age of
25without the consent of the executors named in the will, the estate shall
cease to belong to him. A marries under 25 without the consent of the
executors. The estate ceases to belong to him.
(iii)
An
estate is bequeathed to A, provided that, if he shall not go to England within
three years after the testator's death, his interest in the estate shall cease.
A does not go to England within the time prescribed. His interest in the estate
ceases.
(iv)
An
estate is bequeathed to A, with a proviso that, if she becomes a nun, she shall
cease to have any interest in the estate. A becomes a nun. She loses her
interest under the will.
(v)
A
fund is bequeathed to A for life, and, after his death, to B, if B shall be
then living, with a proviso that, if B shall become a nun, the bequest to her
shall cease to have any effect. Becomes a nun in the lifetime of A. She thereby
loses her contingent interest in the fund.
Section 135 - Such condition must not be invalid under section 120
In order that a condition that a
bequest shall cease to have effect may be valid, it is necessary that the event
to which it relates be one which could legally constitute the condition of a
bequest as contemplated by section 120.
Section 136 - Result of legatee rendering impossible or indefinitely postponing act for which no time specified, and on non-performance of which subject-matter to go over
Where a bequest is made with a
condition super-added that, unless the legatee shall perform a certain act, the
subject-matter of the bequest shall go to another person, or the bequest shall
cease to have effect but no time is specified for the performance of the act;
if the legatee takes any step which renders impossible or indefinitely
postpones the performance of the act required, the legacy shall go as if the
legatee had died without performing such act.
(i)
A
bequest is made to A, with a proviso that, unless he enters the Army, the
legacy shall go over to B. A takes Holy Orders, and thereby renders it
impossible that he should fulfill the condition. B is entitled to receive the
legacy.
(ii)
A
bequest is made to A, with a proviso that it shall cease to have any effect if
he does not marry B's daughter. A marries a stranger and thereby indefinitely
postpones the fulfillment of the conditions. The bequest ceases to have effect.
Section 137 - Performance of condition, precedent or subsequent, within specified time. Further time in case of fraud
Where the will requires an act to be
performed by the legatee within a specified time, either as a condition to be
fulfilled before the legacy is enjoyed, or as a condition upon the
non-fulfillment of which the subject-matter of the bequest is to go over to
another person or the bequest is to cease to have effect, the act must be
performed within the time specified, unless the performance of it be prevented
by fraud, in which case such further time shall be allowed as shall be
requisite to make up for the delay caused by such fraud.
Section 138 - Direction that fund be employed in particular manner following absolute bequest of same to or for benefit of any person
Where a fund is bequeathed absolutely
to or for the benefit of any person, but the will contains a direction that it
shall be applied or enjoyed in a particular manner, the legatee shall be
entitled to receive the fund as if the will had contained no such direction.A
sum of money is bequeathed towards purchasing a country residence for A, or to
purchase an annuity for A or to place A in any business. A chooses to receive
the legacy in money. He is entitled to do so.
Section 139 - Direction that mode of enjoyment of absolute bequest is to be restricted, to secure specified benefit for legatee
Where a testator absolutely bequeaths a
fund, so as to sever it from his own estate, but directs that the mode of
enjoyment of it by the legatee shall be restricted so as to secure a specified
benefit for the legatee; if that benefit cannot be obtained for the legatee,
the fund belongs to him as if the will had contained no such direction.
(i)
A
bequeaths the residue of his property to be divided equally among his
daughters, and directs that the shares of the daughters shall be settled upon
themselves respectively for life and be paid to their children after their
death. All the daughters die unmarried. The representatives of each daughter
are entitled to her share of the residue.
(ii)
A
directs his trustees to raise a sum of money for his daughter, and he then
directs that they shall invest the fund and pay the income arising from it to
her during her life, and divide the principal among her children after her
death. The daughter dies without having ever had a child. Her representatives
are entitled to the fund.
Section 140 - Bequest of fund for certain purposes, some of which cannot be fulfilled
Where a testator does not absolutely
bequeath a fund, so as to sever it from his own estate, but gives it for
certain purposes, and part of those purposes cannot be fulfilled, the fund, or
so much of it as has not been exhausted upon the objects contemplated by the
will, remains a part of the estate of the testator.
(a)
A
directs that his trustees shall invest a sum of money in a particular way, and
shall pay the interest to his son for life, and at his death shall divide the
principal among his children. The son dies without having ever had a child. The
fund, after the son's death, belongs to the estate of the testator.
(b)
A
bequeaths the residue of his estate, to be divided equally among his daughters,
with a direction that they are to have the interest only during their lives,
and that at their decease the fund shall go to their children. The daughters
have no children. The fund belongs to the estate of the testator.
Section 141 - Legatee named as executor cannot take unless he shows intention to act as executor
If a legacy is bequeathed to a person
who is named an executor of the will, he shall not take the legacy, unless he
proves the will or otherwise manifests an intention to act as executor.A legacy
is given to A, who is named an executor. A orders the funeral according to the
directions contained in the will, and dies a few days after the testator,
without having proved the will. A has manifested an intention to act as
executor.
Section 142 - Specific legacy defined
Where a testator bequeaths to any
person a specified part of his property, which is distinguished from all other
parts of his property, the legacy is said to be specific.
(i)
A
bequeaths to B?
(ii) "the diamond
ring presented to me by C":
(iii) "my gold
chain":
(iv) "a certain bale
of wool":
(v) "a certain piece
of cloth":
(vi) "all my
household goods which shall be in or about my dwelling house in M. Street, in
Calcutta, at time of my death":
(vii) "the sum of
1,000 rupees in a certain chest":
(viii) "the debt which
B owes me":
(ix) "all my bills,
bonds and securities belonging to me lying in my lodging in Calcutta";
(x) "all my
furniture in my house in Calcutta":
(xi) "all my goods on
board a certain ship now lying in the river Hugli":
(xii) "2,000 rupees
which I have in the hands of C":
(xiii) "the money due
to me on the bond of D":
(xiv) "my mortgage on
the Rampur factory":
(xv) "one-half of the
money owing to me on my mortgage of Rampur factory":
(xvi) "1,000 rupees,
being part of debt due to me from C":
(xvii) "my capital
stock of 1,000? in East India Stock":
(xviii) "my promissory
notes of the Central Government for 10,000 rupees in their 4 per cent.
loan":
(xix) "all such sums
of money as my executors may, after my death, receive in respect of the debt
due to me from the insolvent firm of D and Company":
(xx) "all the wine
which I may have in my cellar at the time of my death":
(xxi) "such of my
horses as B may select":
(xxii) "all my shares
in the Imperial Bank of India":
(xxiii)
"all
my shares in the Imperial Bank of India which I may possess at the time of my
death":
(xxiv) "all the money
which I have in the 5 1/2 per cent. loan of the Central Government":
(xxv)"all the
Government securities I shall be entitled to at the time of my decease".
(xxvi) Each of these
legacies is specific.
(xxvii) A, having Government
promissory notes for 10,000 rupees, bequeaths to his executors "Government
promissory notes for 10,000 rupees in trust to sell" for the benefit of B.
The legacy is specific.
(xxviii) A, having property at
Benares, and also in other places, bequeaths to B all his property at Benares.
The legacy is specific.
(xxix)
A
bequeaths to B?
(xxx)his house in
Calcutta:
(xxxi) his zamindari of
Rampur:
(xxxii) histaluq of Ramnagar:
(xxxiii) his lease of the indigo-factory
of Salkya:
(xxxiv) an annuity of 500
rupees out of the rents of his zamindari of W.
(xxxv) A directs his
zamindari of X to be sold, and the proceeds to be invested for the benefit of
B.
(xxxvi) Each of these
bequests is specific.
(xxxvii)
A
by his will charges his zamindari of Y with an annuity of 1,000 rupees to C
during his life, and subject to this charge he bequeaths the zamindari to D.
Each of these bequests is specific.
(xxxviii)
A
bequeaths a sum of money?
(xxxix) to buy a house in
Calcutta for B:
(xl) to buy an estate in
zilaFaridpur for B:
(xli) to buy a diamond ring
for B:
(xlii) to buy a horse for B;
(xliii) to be invested in
shares in the Imperial Bank of India for B:
(xliv) to be invested in
Government securities for B.
(xlv) A bequeaths to B?
(xlvi) "a diamond
ring":
(xlvii)
"a
horse";
(xlviii)
"10,000
rupees worth of Government securities":
(xlix) "an annuity of
500 rupees":
(l) "2,000 rupees to
be paid in cash":
(li) "so much money
as will produce 5,000 rupees four per cent. Government securities".
(lii) These bequests are
not specific.
(liii)
A,
having property in England and property in India, bequeaths a legacy to B, and
directs that it shall be paid out of the property which he may leave in India.
He also bequeaths a legacy to C, and directs that it shall be paid out of
property which he may leave in England, No one of these legacies is specific.
Section 143 - Bequest of certain sum where stocks, etc., in which invested are described
Where a certain sum is bequeathed, the
legacy is not specific merely because the stock, funds or securities in which
it is invested are described in the will.
A bequeaths to B?"10,000 rupees of
my funded property":"10,000 rupees of my property now invested in
shares of the East Indian Railway Company":"10,000 rupees, at present
secured by mortgage of Rampur factory".No one of these legacies is
specific.
Section 144 - Bequest of stock where testator had, at date of will, equal or greater amount of stock of same kind
Where a bequest is made in general
terms of a certain amount of any kind of stock, the legacy is not specific
merely because the testator was, at the date of his will, possessed of stock of
the specified kind, to an equal or greater amount than the amount bequeathed.A
bequeaths to B 5,000 rupees five per cent. Government securities. A had at the
date of the will five per cent. Government securities for 5,000 rupees. The
legacy is not specific.
Section 145 - Bequest of money where not payable until part of testator's property disposed of in certain way
A money legacy is not specific merely
because the will directs its payment to be postponed until some part of the
property of the testator has been reduced to a certain form, or remitted to a
certain place.A bequeaths to B 10,000 rupees and directs that this legacy shall
be paid as soon as A's property in India shall be realised in England. The
legacy is not specific.
Section 146 - When enumerated articles not deemed specifically bequeathed
Where a will contains a bequest of the
residue of the testator's property along with an enumeration of some items of
property not previously bequeathed, the articles enumerated shall not be deemed
to be specifically bequeathed.
Section 147 - Retention, in form, of specific bequest to several persons in succession
Where property is specifically
bequeathed to two or more persons in succession, it shall be retained in the
form in which the testator left it, although it may be of such a nature that
its value is continually decreasing.
(i)
A,
having lease of a house for a term of years, fifteen of which were unexpired at
the time of his death, has bequeathed the lease to B for his life, and after
B's death to C. B is to enjoy the property as A left it, although, if B lives
for fifteen years, C can take nothing under the bequest.
(ii)
A,
having an annuity during the life of B, bequeaths it to C, for his life, and,
after C's death, to D. C is to enjoy the annuity as A left it, although, if B
dies before D, D can take nothing under the bequest.
Section 148 - Sale and investment of proceeds of property bequeathed to two or more persons in succession
Where property comprised in a bequest
to two or more persons in succession is not specifically bequeathed, it shall,
in the absence of any direction to the contrary, be sold, and the proceeds of
the sale shall be invested in such securities as the High Court may by any
general rule authorise or direct, and the fund thus constituted shall be
enjoyed by the successive legatees according to the terms of the will.A, having
a lease for a term of years, bequeaths all his property to B for life, and,
after B's death to C. The lease must be sold, the proceeds invested as stated
in this section and the annual income arising from the fund is to be paid to B
for life. At B's death the capital of the fund is to be paid to C.
Section 149 - Where deficiency of assets to pay legacies, specific legacy not to abate with general legacies
If there is a deficiency of assets to
pay legacies, a specific legacy is not liable to abate with the general
legacies.
Section 150 - Demonstrative legacy defined
Where a testator bequeaths a certain
sum of money, or a certain quantity of any other commodity, and refers to a
particular fund or stock so as to constitute the same the primary fund or stock
out of which payment is to be made, the legacy is said to be demonstrative.
Explanation.?The distinction between a
specific legacy and a demonstrative legacy consists in this, that? where
specified property is given to the legatee, the legacy is specific; where the
legacy is directed to be paid out of specified property, it is demonstrative.
(i)
A
bequeaths to B 1,000 rupees, being part of a debt due to him from W. He also
bequeaths to C 1,000 rupees to be paid out of the debt due to him from W. The
legacy to B is specific, the legacy to C is demonstrative.
(ii)
A
bequeaths to B?"ten bushels of the corn which shall grow in my field of
Green Acre":"80 chests of the indigo which shall be made at my
factory of Rampur":"10,000 rupees out of my five per cent.promissory
notes of the Central Government":an annuity of 500 rupees "from my
funded property":"1,000 rupees out of the sum of 2,000 rupees due to
me by C":an annuity, and directs it to be paid "out of the rents
arising from my taluq of Ramnagar".
(iii)
A
bequeaths to B?"10,000 rupees out of my estate at Ramnagar", or
charges it on his estate at Ramnagar:"10,000 rupees, being my share of the
capital embarked in a certain business".Each of these bequests is
demonstrative.
Section 151 - Order of payment when legacy directed to be paid out of fund the subject of specific legacy
Where a portion of a fund is specifically
bequeathed and a legacy is directed to be paid out of the same fund, the
portion specifically bequeathed shall first be paid to the legatee, and the
demonstrative legacy shall be paid out of the residue of the fund and, so far
as the residue shall be deficient, out of the general assets of the testator.
A bequeaths to B 1,000 rupees, being
part of a debt due to him from W. He also bequeaths to C 1,000 rupees to be
paid out of the debt due to him from W. The debt due to A from W is only 1,500
rupees; of these 1,500 rupees, 1,000 rupees belong to B, and 500 rupees are to
be paid to C. C is also to receive 500 rupees out of the general assets of the
testator.
Section 152 - Ademption explained
If any thing which has been
specifically bequeathed does not belong to the testator at the time of his
death, or has been converted into property of a different kind, the legacy is a
deemed; that is, it cannot take effect, by reason of the subject-matter having
been withdrawn from the operation of the will.
(i)
A
bequeaths to B?"the diamond ring presented to me by C":"my gold
chain":"a certain bale of wool":"a certain piece of
cloth":"all my household goods which shall be in or about my
dwelling-house in M. Street in Calcutta, at the time of my death".A in his
life-time,?
(ii) sells or gives away
the ring:
(iii) converts the chain
into a cup;
(iv) converts the wool
into cloth:
(v) makes the cloth into
a garment:
(vi) takes another house
into which he removes all his goods.
(vii)
Each
of these legacies is a deemed.
(viii)
A
bequeaths to B?"the sum of 1,000 rupees, in a certain
chest":"all my horses in my stable".At the death of A, no money
is found in the chest, and no horses in the stable. The legacies are a deemed.
(ix)
A
bequeaths to B certain bales of goods. A takes the goods with him on a voyage.
The ship and goods are lost at sea, and A is drowned. The legacy is a deemed.
Section 153 - Non-ademption of demonstrative legacy
A demonstrative legacy is not a deemed
by reason that the property on which it is charged by the will does not exist
at the time of the death of the testator, or has been converted into property
of a different kind, but it shall in such case be paid out of the general
assets of the testator.
Section 154 - Ademption of specific bequest of right to receive something from third party
Where the thing specifically bequeathed
is the right to receive something of value from a third party, and the testator
himself receives it, the bequest is a deemed.
(i)
A
bequeaths to B?
(ii) "the debt which
C owes me":
(iii) "2,000 rupees
which I have in the hands of D":
(iv) "the money due
to me on the bond of E":
(v) "my mortgage on
the Rampur factory".All these debts are extinguished in A's lifetime, some
with and some without his consent. All the legacies are a deemed.
(vi)
A
bequeaths to B his interest in certain policies of life assurance. A in his
lifetime receives the amount of the policies. The legacy is a deemed.
Section 155 - Ademption pro tanto by testator's receipt of part of entire thing specifically bequeathed
The receipt by the testator of a part
of an entire thing specifically bequeathed shall operate as an ademption of the
legacy to the extent of the sum so received,A bequeaths to B "the debt due
to me by C'. The debt amounts to 10,000 rupees. C pays to A 5,000 rupees the
one-half of the debt. The legacy is revoked by ademption, so far as regards the
5,000 rupees received by A.
Section 156 - Ademption pro tanto by testator's receipt of portion of entire fund of which portion has been specifically bequeathed
If a portion of an entire fund or stock
is specifically bequeathed, the receipt by the testator of a portion of the
fund or stock shall operate as an ademption only to the extent of the amount so
received; and the residue of the fund or stock shall be applicable to the
discharge of the specific legacy.A bequeaths to B one-half of the sum of 10,000
rupees due to him from W. A in his lifetime receives 6,000 rupees, part of the
10,000 rupees. The 4,000 rupees which are due from W to A at the time of his
death belong to B under the specific bequest.
Section 157 - Order of payment where portion of fund specifically bequeathed to one legatee, and legacy charged on same fund to another, and testator having received portion of that fund, remainder insufficient to pay both legacies
Where a portion of a fund is
specifically bequeathed to one legatee, and a legacy charged on the same fund
is bequeathed to another legatee, then, if the testator receives a portion of
that fund, and the remainder of the fund is insufficient to pay both the
specific and the demonstrative legacy, the specific legacy shall be paid first,
and the residue (if any) of the fund shall be applied so far as it will extent
in payment of the demonstrative legacy, and the rest of the demonstrative
legacy shall be paid out of the general assets of the testator.A bequeaths to B
1,000 rupees, part of the debt of 2,000 rupees due to him from W. He also
bequeaths to C 1,000 rupees to be paid out of the debt due to him from W. A
afterwards receives [68][500]
rupees, part of that debt, and dies leaving only 1,500 rupees due to him from
W. Of these 1,500 rupees, 1,000 rupees belong to B, and 500 rupees are to be
paid to C. C is also to receive 500 rupees out of the general assets of the
testator.
Section 158 - Ademption where stock, specifically bequeathed, does not exist at testator's death
Where stock which has been specifically
bequeathed does not exist at the testator's death, the legacy is a deemed.A
bequeaths to B?"my capital stock of 1,000l. in East India
Stock":"my promissory notes of the Central Government for 10,000
rupees in their 4 per cent. loan".A sells the stock and the notes. The
legacies are a deemed.
Section 159 - Ademption pro tanto where stock specifically bequeathed, exists in part only at testator's death
Where stock which has been specifically
bequeathed exists only in part at the testator's death, the legacy is a deemed
so far as regards that part of the stock which has ceased to exist.A bequeaths
to B his 10,000 rupees in the 5 1/2 per cent. loan of the Central Government. A
sells one-half of his 10,000 rupees in the loan in question. One-half of the
legacy is a deemed.
Section 160 - Non-ademption of specific bequest of goods described as connected with certain place, by reason of removal
A specific bequest of goods under a
description connecting them with a certain place is not a deemed by reason that
they have been removed from such place from any temporary cause, or by fraud,
or without the knowledge or sanction of the testator.
(i)
A
bequeaths to B "all my household goods which shall be in or about my
dwelling-house in Calcutta at the time of my death". The goods are removed
from the house to save them from fire. A dies before they are brought back.
(ii)
A
bequeaths to B "all my household goods which shall be in or about my
dwelling-house in Calcutta at the time of my death". During A's absence
upon a journey, the whole of the goods are removed from the house. A dies
without having sanctioned their removal.Neither of these legacies is a deemed.
Section 161 - When removal of thing bequeathed does not constitute ademption
(i)
The
removal of the thing bequeathed from the place in which it is stated in the
will to be situated does not constitute an ademption, where the place is only
referred to in order to complete the description of what the testator meant to
bequeath.A bequeaths to B "all the bills, bonds and other securities for
money belonging to me now lying in my lodgings in Calcutta". At the time
of his death these effects had been removed from his lodgings in Calcutta.
(ii)
A
bequeaths to B all his furniture then in his house in Calcutta. The testator
has a house at Calcutta and another at Chinsurah, in which he lives
alternately, being possessed of one set of furniture only which he removes with
himself to each house. At the time of his death the furniture is in the house
at Chinsurah.
(iii)
A
bequeaths to B all his goods on board a certain ship then lying in the river
Hughli. The goods are removed by A's directions to a warehouse, in which they
remain at the time of A's death.No one of these legacies is revoked by
ademption.
Section 162 - When thing bequeathed is a valuable to be received by testator from third person; and testator himself, or his representative, receives it
Where the thing bequeathed is not the
right to receive something of value from a third person, but the money or other
commodity which may be received from the third person by the testator himself
or by his representatives, the receipt of such sum of money or other commodity
by the testator shall not constitute an ademption, but if he mixes it up with
the general mass of his property, the legacy is a deemed;A bequeaths to B
whatever sum may be received from his claim on C. A receives the whole of his
claim on C, and sets it apart from the general mass of his property. The legacy
is not a deemed.
Section 163 - Change by operation of law of subject of specific bequest between date of will and testator's death
Where a thing specifically bequeathed
undergoes a change between the date of the will and the testator's death, and
the change takes place by operation of law, or in the course of execution of
the provisions of any legal instrument under which the thing bequeathed was
held, the legacy is not a deemed by reason of such change.
(i)
A
bequeaths to B "all the money which I have in the 5 1/2 per cent. loan of
the Central Government". The securities for the 5 1/2 per cent.loan are
converted during A's lifetime into 5 per cent. stock.
(ii)
A
bequeaths to B the sum of 2,000? invested in Consol sin the names of trustees
for A. The sum of 2,000? is transferred by the trustees into A's own name.
(iii)
A
bequeaths to B the sum of 10,000 rupees in promissory notes of the Central
Government which he has power under his marriage settlement to dispose of by
will. Afterwards, in A's lifetime, the fund is converted into Consoles by
virtue of an authority contained in the settlement.No one of these legacies has
been a deemed.
Section 164 - Change of subject without testator's knowledge
Where a thing specifically bequeathed
undergoes a change between the date of the will and the testator's death, and
the change takes place without the knowledge or sanction of the testator, the
legacy is not a deemed.A bequeaths to B "all my 3 per cent.
Consoles". The Consoles are, without A's knowledge sold by his agent, and
the proceeds converted into East India Stock. This legacy is not a deemed.
Section 165 - Stock specifically bequeathed lent to third party on condition that it be replaced
Where stock which has been specifically
bequeathed is lent to a third party on condition that it Shall be replaced, and
it replaced accordingly, the legacy is not a deemed.
Section 166 - Stock specifically bequeathed sold but replaced, and belonging to testator at his death
Where stock specifically bequeathed is
sold, and an equal quantity of the same stock is afterwards purchased and
belongs to the testator at his death, the legacy is not a deemed.
Section 167 - Non-liability of executor to exonerate specific legatees
(1)
Where
property specifically bequeathed is subject at the death of the testator to any
pledge, lien or incumbrance created by the testator himself or by any person
under whom he claims, then, unless a contrary intention appears by the Will,
the legatee, if he accepts the bequest, shall accept it subject to such pledge
or incumbrance, and shall (as between himself and the testator's estate) be
liable to make good the amount of such pledge or incumbrance.
(2)
A
contrary intention shall not be inferred from any direction which the Will may
contain for the payment of the testator's debts generally.
Explanation.?A periodical payment in
the nature of land-revenue or in the nature of rent is not such an incumbrance
as is contemplated by this section.
(3)
A
bequeaths to B the diamond ring given him by C. At A's death the ring is held
in pawn by D to whom it has been pledged by A. It is the duty of A's executor,
if the state of the testator's assets Will allow them, to allow B to redeem the
ring.
(4)
A
bequeaths to B a zamindari which at A's death is subject to a mortgage for
10,000 rupees; and the whole of the principal sum, together with interest to
the amount of 1,000 rupees, is due at A's death. B, if he accepts the bequest,
accepts it subject to this charge, and is liable, as between himself and A's
estate, to pay the sum of 11,000 rupees thus due.
Section 168 - Completion of testator's title to things bequeathed to be at cost of his estate
Where anything is to be done to
complete the testator's title to the thing bequeathed, it is to be done at the
cost of the testator's estate.
(i)
,
having contracted in general terms for the purchase of a piece of land at a
certain price, bequeaths to B, and dies before he has paid the purchase-money.
The purchase-money must be made good out of A's assets.
(ii)
A,
having contracted for the purchase of a piece of land for a certain sum of
money, one-half of which is to be paid down and the other half secured by
mortgage of the land, bequeaths it to B, and dies before he has paid or secured
any part of the purchase-money. One-half of the purchase-money must be paid out
of A's assets.
Section 169 - Exoneration of legatee's immovable property for which land-revenue or rent payable periodically
Where there is a bequest of any
interest in immoveable property in respect of which payment in the nature of
land-revenue or in the nature of rent has to be made periodically, the estate
of the testator shall (as between such estate and the legatee) make good such
payments or a proportion of them, as the case may be, up to the day of his
death.A bequeaths to B a house, in respect of which 365 rupees are payable
annually by way of rent. A pays his rent at the usual time, and dies 25 days
after. A's estate Will make good 25 rupees in respect of the rent.
Section 170 - Exoneration of specific legatee's stock in joint stock company
In the absence of any direction in the
Will, where there is a specific bequest of stock in a joint-stock company, if
any call or other payment is due from the testator at the time of his death in
respect of the stock, such call or payment shall, as between the testator's
estate and the legatee, be borne by the estate; but, if any call or other
payment becomes due in respect of such stock after the testator's death, the
same shall, as between the testator's estate and the legatee, be borne by the
legatee if he accepts the bequest.
(i)
A
bequeaths to B his share in a certain railway. At A's death there was due from
him the sum of 100 rupees in respect of each share, being the amount of a call
which had been duly made and the sum of five rupees in respect of each share, being
the amount of interest which had accrued due in respect of the call. These
payments must be borne by A's estate.
(ii) A has agreed to take
50 shares in an intended joint-stock company, and has contracted to pay up 100
rupees in respect of each share, which sum must be paid before his title to the
shares can be completed. A bequeaths these shares to B. The estate of A must
make good the payments which were necessary to complete A's title.
(iii) A bequeaths to B his
shares in a certain railway. B accepts the legacy. After A's death a call is
made in respect of the shares. B must pay the call.
(iv) A bequeaths to B his
shares in a joint-stock company. B accepts the bequest. Afterwards the affairs
of the company are wound up, and each shareholder is called upon for contribution.
The amount of the contribution must be borne by the legatee.
(v)
A
is the owner often shares in a railway company. At a meeting held during his
lifetime a call is made of fifty rupees per share, payable by three
installments. A bequeaths his shares to B, and dies between the day fixed for
the payment of the first and the day fixed for the payment of the second
installment, and without having paid the first installment. A's estate must pay
the first installment, and B, if he accepts the legacy, must pay the remaining
installments.
Section 171 - Bequest of thing described in general terms
If there is a bequest of something
described in general terms the executor must purchase for the legatee what may
reasonably be considered to answer the description.
(a)
A
bequeaths to B a pair of carriage-horses or a diamond ring. The executor must
provide the legatee with such articles if the state of the assets Will allow
it.
(b)
A
bequeaths to B "my pair of carriage-horses". A had no carriage-horses
at the time of his death. The legacy fails.
Section 172 - Bequest of interest or produce of fund
Where the interest or produce of a fund
is bequeathed to any person, and the Will affords no indication of an intention
that the enjoyment of the bequest should be of limited duration, the principal,
as well as the interest, shall belong to the legatee.
(i)
A
bequeaths to B the interest of his 5 per cent. promissory notes of the Central
Government. There is no other clause in the Will affecting those securities. B
is entitled to A's 5 per cent. promissory notes of the Central Government.
(ii)
A
bequeaths the interest of his 5 1/2 per cent. promissory notes of the Central
Government to B for his life, and after his death to C. B is entitled to the
interest of the notes during his life and C is entitled to the notes upon B's
death.
(iii)
A
bequeaths to B the rents of his lands at X. B is entitled to the lands.
Section 173 - Annuity created by Will payable for life only unless contrary intention appears Will
Where an annuity is created by Will,
the legatee is entitled to receive it for his life only, unless a contrary
intention appears by the Will, notwithstanding that the annuity is directed to
be paid out of the property generally, or that a sum of money is bequeathed to
be invested in the purchase of it.
(i)
A
bequeaths to B 500 rupees a year. B is entitled during his life to receive the
annual sum of 500 rupees.
(ii) A bequeaths to B the
sum of 500 rupees monthly. B is entitled during his life to receive the sum of
500 rupees every month.
(iii)
A
bequeaths an annuity of 500 rupees to B for life, and on B's death to C. B is
entitled to an annuity of 500 rupees during his life. C, if he survives B, is
entitled to an annuity of 500 rupees from B's death until his own death.
Section 174 - Period of vesting where Will directs that annuity be provided out of proceeds of property, or out of property generally, or where money bequeathed to be invested in purchase of annuity
Where the Will directs that an annuity
shall be provided for any person out of the proceeds of property, or out of
property generally, or where money is bequeathed to be invested in the purchase
of any annuity for any person, on the testator's death, the legacy vests in
interest in the legatee, and he is entitled at his option to have an annuity
purchased for him or to receive the money appropriated for that purpose by the
Will.
(a)
A
by his Will directs that his executors shall, out of his property, purchase an
annuity of 1,000 rupees for B. B is entitled at his option to have an annuity
of 1,000 rupees for his life purchased for him or to receive such a sum as Will
be sufficient for the purchase of such an annuity.
(b)
A
bequeaths a fund to B for his life, and directs that after B's death, it shall
be laid out in the purchase of an annuity for C. B and C survive the testator.
C dies in B's lifetime. On B's death the fund belongs to the representative of
C.
Section 175 - Abatement of annuity
Where an annuity is bequeathed, but the
assets of the testator are not sufficient to pay all the legacies given by the
Will, the annuity shall abate in the same proportion as the other pecuniary
legacies given by the Will.
Section 176 - Where gift of annuity and residuary gift, whole annuity to be first satisfied
Where there is a gift of an annuity and
a residuary gift, the whole of the annuity is to be satisfied before any part
of the residue of paid to the residuary legatee, and, if necessary, the capital
of the testator's estate shall be applied for that purpose.
Section 177 - Creditor prima facie entitled to legacy as well as debt
Where a debtor bequeaths a legacy to
his creditor, and it does not appear from the Will that the legacy is meant as
a satisfaction of the debt, the creditor shall be entitled to the legacy, as
well as to the amount of the debt.
Section 178 - Child prima facie entitled to legacy as well as portion
Where a parent, who is under obligation
by contract to provide a portion for a child, fails to do so, and afterwards
bequeaths a legacy to the child, and does not intimate by his Will that the
legacy is meant as a satisfaction of the portion, the child shall be entitled
to receive the legacy, as well as the portion.A, by articles entered into in
contemplation of his marriage with B covenanted that he would pay to each of
the daughters of the intended marriage a portion of 20,000 rupees on her
marriage. This covenant having been broken. A bequeaths 20,000 rupees to each
of the married daughters of himself and B. The legatees are entitled to the
benefit of this bequest in addition to their portions.
Section 179 - No ademption by subsequent provision for legatee
No bequest shall be wholly or partially
a deemed by a subsequent provision made by settlement or otherwise for the
legatee.
(a)
A
bequeaths 20,000 rupees to his son B. He afterwards gives to B the sum of
20,000 rupees. The legacy is not thereby a deemed.
(b)
A
bequeaths 40,000 rupees to B, his orphan niece whom he had brought up from her
infancy. Afterwards, on the occasion of B's marriage, A settles upon her the
sum of 30,000 rupees. The legacy is not thereby diminished.
Section 180 - Circumstances in which election takes place
Where a person, by his Will professes
to dispose of some thing which he has no right to dispose of, the person to
whom the thing belongs shall elect either to confirm such disposition or to
dissent from it, and, in the latter case, he shall give up any benefit which
may have been provided for him by the Will.
Section 181 - Devolution of interest relinquished by owner
An interest relinquished in the circumstances
stated in section 180 shall devolve as if it had not been disposed of by the
Will in favour of the legatee, subject, nevertheless, to the charge of making
good to the disappointed legatee the amount or value of the gift attempted to
be given to him by the Will.
Section 182 - Testator's belief as to his ownership immaterial
[69]The provisions of
sections 180 and 181 apply whether the testator does or does not believe that
which he professes to dispose of by his Will to be his own.
Section 183 - Bequest for man's benefit how regarded for purpose of election
A bequest for a person's benefit is,
for the purpose of election, the same thing as a bequest made to himself.The
farm of SultanpurKhurd being the property of B, A bequeathed it to C ; and
bequeathed another farm called SultanpurBuzurg to his own executors with a
direction that it should be sold and the proceeds applied in payment of B'
debts. B must elect whether he Will abide by the Will, or keep his farm of
SultanpurKhurd in opposition to it.
Section 184 - Person deriving benefit indirectly not put to election
A person taking no benefit directly
under a Will, but deriving a benefit under it indirectly, is not put to his
election.The lands of Sultanpur are settled upon C for life, and after his
death upon, D, his only child. A bequeaths the lands of Sultanpur to B, and
1,000 rupees to C. C dies intestate shortly after the testator, and without
having made any election. D takes out administration to C, and as administrator
elects on behalf of C's estate to take under the Will. In that capacity he
receives the legacy of 1,000 rupees and accounts to B for the rents of the
lands of Sultanpur which accrued after the death or the testator and before the
death of C. In his individual character he retains the lands of Sultanpur in
opposition to the Will.
Section 185 - Person taking in individual capacity under Will may in other character elect to take in opposition
A person who in his individual capacity
takes a benefit under a Will may, in another character, elect to take in
opposition to the Will.The estate of Sultanpur is settled upon A for life, and
after his death, upon B. A leaves the estate of Sultanpur to D, and 2,000
rupees to B, and 1,000 rupees to C, who is B's only child. B dies intestate,
shortly after the testator, without having made any election. C takes out
administration to B, and as administrator elects to keep the estate of
Sultanpur in opposition to the Will, and to relinquish the legacy of 2,000
rupees. C may do this, and yet claim his legacy of 1,000 rupees under the Will.
Section 186 - Exception to provisions of last six sections
Notwithstanding anything contained in
sections 180 to 185, where a particular gift is expressed in the Will to
be in lieu of something belonging to the legatee which is also in terms
disposed of by the Will, then, if the legatee claims that thing, he must
relinquish the particular gift, but he is not bound to relinquish any other
benefit given to him by the Will.Under A's marriage-settlement his wife is
entitled, if she survives him, to the enjoyment of the estate of Sultanpur
during her life. A by his Will bequeaths to his wife an annuity of 200 rupees
during her life, in lieu of her interest in the estate of Sultanpur, which
estate he bequeaths to his son. He also gives his wife a legacy of 1,000
rupees. The widow elects to take what she is entitled to under the settlement.
She is bound to relinquish the annuity but not the legacy of 1,000 rupees.
Section 187 - When acceptance of benefit given by Will constitutes election to take under Will
(i)
Acceptance
of a benefit given by a Will constitutes an election by the legatee to take
under the Will, if he had knowledge of his right to elect and of those
circumstances which would influence the judgment of a reasonable man in making
an election, or if he waives inquiry into the circumstances.
(ii)
A
is owner of an estate called SultanpurKhurd, and has a life interest in another
estate called SultanpurBuzurg to which upon his death his son B Will be
absolutely entitled. The Will of A gives the estate of SultanpurKhurd to B and
the estate of SultanpurBuzurg to C. B, in ignorance of his own right to the
estate of SultanpurBuzurg, allows C to take possession of it, and enters into
possession of the estate of SultanpurKhurd. B has not confirmed the bequest of
SultanpurBuzurg to C.
(iii)
B,
the eldest son of A, is the possessor of an estate called Sultanpur. A
bequeaths Sultanpur to C and to B the residue of A's property. B having been
informed by A's executors that the residue Will amount to 5,000 rupees, allows
C to take possession of Sultanpur. He afterwards discovers that the residue
does not amount to more than 500 rupees. B has not confirmed the bequest of the
estate of Sultanpur to C.
Section 188 - Circumstances in which knowledge or waiver is presumed or inferred
(1)
Such
knowledge or waiver of inquiry shall, in the absence of evidence to the
contrary, be presumed if the legatee has enjoyed for two years the benefits
provided for him by the Will without doing any act to express dissent.
(2)
Such
knowledge or waiver of inquiry may be inferred from any act of the legatee
which renders it impossible to place the persons interested in the
subject-matter of the bequest in the same condition as if such act had not been
done.A bequeaths to B an estate to which C is entitled, and to C a coal mine. C
takes possession of the mine and exhausts it. He has thereby confirmed the
bequest of the estate to B.
Section 189 - When testator's representatives may call upon legatee to elect
If the legatee does not, within one
year after the death of the testator signify to the testator's representatives
his intention to confirm or to dissent from, the Will, the representatives
shall, upon the expiration of that period, require him to make his election; and,
if he does not comply with such requisition within a reasonable time after he
has received it, he shall be deemed to have elected to confirm the Will.
Section 190 - Postponement of election in case of disability
In case of disability the election shall
be postponed until the disability ceases, or until the election is made by some
competent authority.
Section 191 - Property transferable by gift made in contemplation of death
(1)
A
Man may dispose, by gift made in contemplation of death, of any moveable
property which he could dispose of by Will.
(2)
A
gift is said to be made in contemplation of death where a man, who is ill and
expects to die shortly of his illness, delivers, to another the possession of
any moveable property to keep as a gift in case the donor shall die of that
illness.
(3)
Such
a gift may be resumed by the giver; and shall not take effect if he recovers
from the illness during which it was made; nor if he survives the person to
whom it was made.
(i)
A,
being ill, and in expectation of death, delivers to B, to be retained by him in
case of A's death,?
(ii) a watch:
(iii) a bond granted by C
to A:
(iv) a bank-note:
(v) a promissory note of
the Central Government endorsed in blank:
(vi) a bill of exchange
endorsed in blank:
(vii) certain
mortgage-deeds.
(viii) A dies of the illness
during which he delivered these articles.
(ix) B is entitled to?
(x) the watch:
(xi) the debt secured by
C's bond;
(xii) the bank-note:
(xiii)
the
promissory note of the Central Government:
(xiv) the bill of exchange:
(xv) the money secured by
the mortgage-deeds.
(xvi) A, being ill, and in
expectation of death, delivers to B the key of a trunk or the key of a
warehouse in which goods of bulk belonging to A are deposited, with the
intention of giving him the control over the contents of the trunk, or over the
deposited goods, and desires him to keep them in case of A's death. A dies of
the illness during which he delivered these articles. B is entitled to the
trunk and its contents or to A's goods of bulk in the warehouse.
(xvii) A, being ill, and in
expectation of death, puts aside certain articles in separate parcel and marks
upon the parcels respectively the names of B and C. The parcels are not
delivered during the life of A. A dies of the illness during which he set aside
the parcels. B and C are not entitled to the contents of the parcels.
Section 192 - Person claiming right by succession to property of deceased may apply for relief against wrongful possession
(1)
If
any person dies leaving property, moveable or immoveable, any person claiming a
right by succession thereto, or to any portion thereof, may make application to
the District Judge of the district where any part of the property is found or
situate for relief, either after actual possession has been taken by another
person, or when forcible means of seizing possession are apprehended.
(2)
Any
agent, relative or near friend, or the Court of Wards in cases within their
cognizance, may, in the event of any minor, or any disqualified or absent
person being entitled by succession to such property as aforesaid, make the
like application for relief.
Section 193 - Inquiry made by judge
The District Judge to whom such
application is made shall, in the first place, examine the applicant on oath,
and may make such further inquiry, if any, as he thinks necessary as to whether
there is sufficient ground for believing that the party in possession or taking
forcible means for seizing possession has no lawful title, and that the
applicant, or the person on whose behalf he applies is really entitled and is
likely to be materially prejudiced if left to the ordinary remedy of a suit,
and that the application is made bona fide.
Section 194 - Procedure
If the District Judge is satisfied that
there is sufficient ground for believing as aforesaid but not otherwise, he
shall summon the party complained of, and give notice of vacant or disturbed
possession by publication, and, after the expiration of a reasonable time,
shall determine summarily the right to possession (subject to a suit as
hereinafter provided) and shall deliver possession accordingly:
Provided that the Judge shall have the
power to appoint an officer who shall take an inventory of effects, and seal or
otherwise secure the same, upon being applied to for the purpose, without
delay, whether he shall have concluded the inquiry necessary for summoning the
party complained of or not.
Section 195 - Appointment of curator pending determination of proceeding
If it further appears upon such inquiry
as aforesaid that danger is to be apprehended of the misappropriation or waste
of the property before the summary proceeding can be determined, and that the
delay in obtaining security from the party in possession or the insufficiency
thereof is likely to expose the party out of possession to considerable risk,
provided he is the lawful owner, the District Judge may appoint one or more
curators whose authority shall continue according to the terms of his or their
respective appointment, and in no case beyond the determination of the summary
proceeding and the confirmation or delivery of possession in consequence
thereof:
Provided that, in the case of land, the
Judge may delegate to the Collector, or to any officer subordinate to the
Collector, the powers of a curator:
Provided further, that every
appointment of a curator in respect of any property shall be duly published.
Section 196 - Powers conferrable on curator
The District Judge may authorise the
curator to take possession of the property either generally, or until security
is given by the party in possession, or until inventories of the property have
been made, or for any other purpose necessary for securing the property from
misappropriation or waste by the party in possession:
Provided that it shall be in the
discretion of the Judge to allow the party in possession to continue in such
possession on giving security or not, and any continuance in possession shall
be subject to such orders as the Judge may issue touching inventories, or the
securing of deeds or other effects.
Section 197 - Prohibition of exercise of certain powers by curators
(1)
Where
a certificate has been granted under Part X or under the Succession Certificate
Act, 1889[70](7
of 1889), or a grant of probate or letters of administration has been made, a
curator appointed under this Part shall not exercise any authority lawfully belonging
to the holder of the certificate or to the executor or administrator.
(2)
Payment
of debts, etc., to curators.-All persons who have paid debts or rents to a
curator authorised by a Court to receive them shall be indemnified, and the
curator shall be responsible for the payment thereof to the person who has
obtained the certificate, probate or letters of administration, as the case may
be.
Section 198 - Curator to give security and may receive remuneration
(1)
The
District Judge shall take from the curator security for the faithful discharge
of his trust, and for rendering satisfactory accounts of the same as
hereinafter provided, and may authorise him to receive out of the property such
remuneration in no case exceeding five per centum on the moveable property and
on the annual profits of the immoveable property, as the District Judge thinks
reasonable.
(2)
All
surplus money realized by the curator shall be paid into Court, and invested in
public securities for the benefit of the persons entitled thereto upon
adjudication of the summary proceeding.
(3)
Security
shall be required from the curator with all reasonable dispatch, and where it
is practicable, shall be taken generally to answer all cases for which the
person may be afterwards appointed curator; but no delay in the taking of
security shall prevent the Judge from immediately investing the curator with
the powers of his office.
Section 199 - Report from Collector where estate includes revenue-paying land
(1) Where the estate of
the deceased person consists wholly or in part of land paying revenue to
Government, in all matters regarding the propriety of summoning the party in
possession, of appointing a curator, or of nominating individuals to that
appointment, the District Judge shall demand a report from the Collector, and
the Collector shall thereupon furnish the same:
Provided that in cases of urgency the
Judge may proceed, in the first instance, without such report.
(2) The Judge shall not
be obliged to act in conformity with any such report, but, in case of his acting
otherwise than according to such report, he shall immediately forward a
statement of his reasons to the High Court, and the High Court, if it is
dissatisfied with such reasons, shall direct the Judge to proceed conformably
to the report of the Collector.
Section 200 - Institution and defence of suit
The curator shall be subject to all
orders of the District Judge regarding the institution or the defence of suits,
and all suits may be instituted or defended in the name of the curator on
behalf of the estate:
Provided that an express authority
shall be requisite in the order of the curator's appointment for the collection
of debts or rents; but such express authority shall enable the curator to give
a full acquittance for any sums of money received by virtue thereof.
Section 201 - Allowances to apparent owners pending custody by curator
Pending the custody of the property by
the curator, the District Judge may make such allowances to parties having a
prima facie right thereto as upon a summary investigation of the rights and
circumstances of the parties interested he considers necessary, and may, at his
discretion, take security for the repayment thereof with interest, in the event
of the party being found, upon the adjudication of the summary proceeding, not
to be entitled thereto.
Section 202 - Accounts to be filed by curator
The curator shall file monthly accounts
in abstract, and shall, on the expiry of each period of three months, if his
administration lasts so long, and, upon giving up the possession of the
property, file a detailed account of his administration to the satisfaction of
the District Judge.
Section 203 - Inspection of accounts and right of interested party to keep duplicate
(1)
The
accounts of the curator shall be open to the inspection of all parties
interested; and it shall be competent for any such interested party to appoint
a separate person to keep a duplicate account of all receipts and payments by
the curator.
(2)
If
it is found that the accounts of the curator are in arrear, or that they are
erroneous or incomplete, or if the curator does not produce them whenever he is
ordered to do so by the District Judge, he shall be punishable with fine not
exceeding one thousand rupees for every such default.
Section 204 - Bar to appointment of second curator for same property
If the Judge of any district has
appointed a curator, in respect of the whole of the property of a deceased
person, such appointment shall preclude the Judge of any other district within
the same State from appointing any other curator, but the appointment of a
curator in respect of a portion of the property of the deceased shall not
preclude the appointment within the same State of another curator in respect of
the residue or any portion thereof:
Provided that no Judge shall appoint a
curator or entertain a summary proceeding in respect of property which is the
subject of a summary proceeding previously instituted under this Part before
another Judge:
Provided, further, that if two or more
curators are appointed by different Judges for several parts of an estate, the
High Court may make such order as it thinks fit for the appointment of one
curator of the whole property.
Section 205 - Limitation of time for application for curator
An application under this Part to the
District Judge must be made within six months of the death of the proprietor
whose property is claimed by right in succession.
Section 206 - Bar to enforcement of Part against public settlement or legal directions by deceased
Nothing in this Part shall be deemed to
authorise the contravention of any public act of settlement or of any legal
directions given by a deceased proprietor of any property for the possession of
his property after his decease in the event of minority or otherwise, and, in
every such case, as soon as the Judge having jurisdiction over the property of
a deceased person is satisfied of the existence of such directions, he shall
give effect thereto.
Section 207 - Court of Wards to be made curator in case of minors having property subject to its jurisdiction
Nothing in this part shall be deemed to
authorise any disturbance of the possession of a Court of Wards of any
property; and in case of a minor, or other disqualified person whose property
is subject to the Court of Wards, is the party on whose behalf application is
made under this Part, the District Judge, if he determines to summon the party
in possession and to appoint a curator, shall invest the Court of Wards with
the curatorship of the estate pending the proceeding without taking security as
aforesaid; and if the minor or other disqualified person, upon the adjudication
of the summary proceeding, appears to be entitled to the property, possession
shall be delivered to the Court of Wards.
Section 208 - Saving of right to bring suit
Nothing contained in this Part shall be
any impediment to the bringing of a suit either by the party whose application
may have been rejected before or after the summoning of the party in
possession, or by the party who may have been evicted from the possession under
this Part.
Section 209 - Effect of decision of summary proceeding
The decision of a District Judge in a
summary proceeding under this Part shall have no other effect than that of
settling the actual possession; but for this purpose it shall be final, and
shall not be subject to any appeal or review.
Section 210 - Appointment of public curators
The State Government may appoint public
curators for any district or number of districts; and the District Judge having
jurisdiction shall nominate such public curators in all cases where the choice
of a curator is left discretionary with him under this Part.
Section 211 - Character and property of executor or administrator as such
(1)
The
executor or administrator, as the case may be, of a deceased person is his
legal representative for all purposes, and all the property of the deceased
person vests in him as such.
(2)
When
the deceased was a Hindu,Muhammadan, Buddhist, [71][Sikh,
Jaina or Parsi] or an exempted person, nothing herein contained shall vest in
an executor or administrator any property of the deceased person which would
otherwise have passed by survivorship to some other person.
Section 212 - Right to intestate's property
(1)
No
right to any part of the property of a person who has died intestate can be
established in any Court of Justice, unless letters of administration have
first been granted by a Court of competent jurisdiction.
(2)
This
section shall not apply in the case of the intestacy of a Hindu, Muhammad an,
Buddhist, Sikh, Jaina, [72][Indian
Christian or Parsi].
Section 213 - Right as executor or legatee when established
(1)
No
right as executor or legatee can be established in any Court of Justice, unless
a Court of competent jurisdiction in [73][India]
has granted probate of the Will under which the right is claimed, or has
granted letters of administration with the Will or with a copy of an
authenticated copy of the Will annexed.
(2)
[74][This section shall
not apply in the case of Wills made by Muhammadans [75][or
Indian Christians], and shall only apply-
(3)
in
the case of Wills made by any Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina where such Wills
are of the classes specified in clauses (a) and (b) of section 57; and
(4)
in
the case of Wills made by any Parsi dying, after the commencement of the Indian
Succession (Amendment) Act, 1962 (16 of 1962), where such Wills are made within
the local limits of the [76][ordinary
original civil jurisdiction] of the High Courts at Calcutta, Madras and Bombay,
and where such Wills are made outside those limits, in so far as they relate to
immoveable property situated within those limits.
[STATE AMENDMENTS
[Kerala
[77][In Section 213The
word 'Muhammadans', the words 'or Indian Christians' shall be inserted.]
Section 214 - Proof of representative title a condition precedent to recovery through the Courts of debts from debtors of deceased persons
(1)
No
Court shall-
(a)
pass
a decree against a debtor of a deceased person for payment of his debt to a
person claiming on succession to be entitled to the effects of the deceased
person or to any part thereof, or
(b)
proceed,
upon an application of a person claiming to be so entitled, to execute against
such a debtor a decree or order for the payment of his debt, except on the
production, by the person so claiming of-
(c)
a
probate or letters of administration evidencing the grant to him of
administration to the estate of the deceased, or
(d)
a
certificate granted under section 31 or section 32 of the
Administrator-General's Act, 1913 (3 of 1913)[78],
and having the debt mentioned therein, or
(e)
a
succession certificate granted under Part X and having the debt specified
therein, or
(f)
a
certificate granted under the Succession Certificate Act, 1889 (7 of 1889)[79],
or
(g)
a
certificate granted under Bombay Regulation No. VIII of 1827, and, if granted
after the first day of May, 1889 having the debt specified therein.
(2)
The
word' 'debt'' in sub-section (1) includes any debt except rent, revenue or
profits payable in respect of land used for agricultural purposes.
Section 215 - Effect on certificate of subsequent probate or letters of administration
(1)
A
grant of probate or letters of administration in respect of an estate shall be
deemed to supersede any certificate previously granted under Part X or under
the Succession Certificate Act, 1889 (7 of 1889)[80],
or Bombay Regulation No. VIII of 1827, in respect of any debts or securities
included in the estate.
(2)
When
at the time of the grant of the probate or letters any suit or other proceeding
instituted by the holder of any such certificate regarding any such debt or
security is pending, the person to whom the grant is made shall, on applying to
the Court in which the suit or proceeding is pending, be entitled to take the
place of the holder of the certificate in the suit or proceeding:
Provided that, when any certificate is
superseded under this section, all payments made to the holder of such
certificate in ignorance of such super session shall be held good against
claims under the probate or letters of administration.
Section 216 - Grantee of probate or administration alone to sue, etc., until same revoked
After any grant of probate or letters
of administration, no other than the person to whom the same may have been
granted shall have power to sue or prosecute any suit, or otherwise act as representative
of the deceased, throughout the State in which the same may have been granted,
until such probate or letters of administration has or have been recalled or
revoked.
Section 217 - Application of Part
Save as otherwise provided by this Act
or by any other law for the time being in force, all grants of probate and
letters of administration with the Will annexed and the administration of the
assets of the deceased in cases of intestate succession shall be made or
carried out, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of this
Part.
Section 218 - To whom administration may be granted, where deceased is a Hindu, Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain or exempted person
(1)
If
the deceased has died intestate and was a Hindu, Muhammad an, Buddhist, Sikh or
jain or an exempted person, administration of his estate may be granted to any
person who, according to the rules for the distribution of the estate
applicable in the case of such deceased, would be entitled to the whole or any
part of such deceased's estate.
(2)
When
several such persons apply for such administration, it shall be in the
discretion of the Court to grant it to any one or more of them.
(3)
When
no such person applies, it may be granted to a creditor of the deceased.
Section 219 - Where deceased is not a Hindu, Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain or exempted person
If the deceased has died intestate and
was not a person belonging to any of the classes referred to in section 218,
those who are connected with him, either by marriage or by consanguinity, are
entitled to obtain letters of administration of his estate and effects in the
order and according to the rules hereinafter stated, namely:-
(a)
If
the deceased has left a widow, administration shall be granted to the widow,
unless the Court sees cause to exclude her, either on the ground of some
personal disqualification, or because she has no interest in the estate of the
deceased.
(b)
The
widow is a lunatic or has committed adultery or has been barred by her marriage
settlement of all interest in her husband's estate. There is cause for
excluding her from the administration.
(c)
The
widow has married again since the decease of her husband. This is not good
cause for her exclusion.
(d)
If
the Judge thinks proper, he may associate any person or persons with the widow
in the administration who would be entitled solely to the administration if
there were no widow.
(e)
If
there is no widow, or if the Court sees cause to exclude the widow, it shall
commit the administration to the person or persons who would he beneficially
entitled to the estate according to the rules for the distribution of an
interstate's estate:
Provided that, when the mother of the
deceased is one of the class of persons so entitled, she shall be solely
entitled to administration.
(f) Those who stand in
equal degree of kindred to the deceased are equally entitled to administration.
(g) The husband surviving
his wife has the same right of administration of her estate as the widow has in
respect of the estate of her husband.
(h)
When
there is no person connected with the deceased by marriage or consanguinity who
is entitled to letters of administration and Willing to act, they may be
granted to a creditor.
(i)
Where
the deceased has left property in [81][India],
letters of administration shall be granted according to the foregoing rules,
notwithstanding that he had his domicile in a country in which the law relating
to estate and intestate succession differs from the law of [82] [India].
Section 220 - Effect of letters of administration
Letters of administration entitle the
administrator to all rights belonging to the intestate as effectually as if the
administration had been granted at the moment after his death.
Section 221 - Acts not validated by administration
Letters of administration do not render
valid any intermediate acts of the administrator tending to the diminution or
damage of the interstate's estate.
Section 222 - Probate only to appointed executor
(1)
Probate
shall be granted only to an executor appointed by the Will.
(2)
The
appointment may be expressed or by necessary implication.
(3)
A
Wills that C be his executor if B Will not. B is appointed executor by
implication.
(4)
A
gives a legacy to B and several legacies to other persons among the rest to his
daughter-in-law C, and adds "but should the within-named C be not living I
do constitute and appoint B my whole and sole executrix". C is appointed
executrix by implication.
(5)
A
appoints several persons executors of his Will and codicils and his nephew
residuary legatee, and in another codicil are these words,?"I appoint my
nephew my residuary legatee to discharge all lawful demands against my Will and
codicils signed of different dates". The nephew is appointed an executor
by implication.
Section 223 - Persons to whom probate cannot be granted
Probate cannot be granted to any person
who is a minor or is of unsound mind [83][nor
to any association of individuals unless it is a company which satisfies the
conditions prescribed by rules to be made [84][by
notification in the Official Gazette,] by the [85][State
Government], in this behalf].
Section 224 - Grant of probate to several executors simultaneously or at different times
When several executors are appointed,
probate may be granted to them all simultaneously or at different times.A is an
executor of B's Will by express appointment and Can executor of it by implication.
Probate may be granted to A and C at the same time or to A first and then to C,
or to C first and then to A.
Section 225 - Separate probate of codicil discovered after grant of probate
(1)
If
a codicil is discovered after the grant of probate, a separate probate of that
codicil may be granted to the executor, if it in no way repeals the appointment
of executors made by the Will.
(2)
If
different executors are appointed by the codicil, the probate of the Will shall
be revoked, and a new probate granted of the Will and the codicil together.
Section 226 - Accrual of representation to surviving executor
When probate has been granted to
several executors, and one of them dies the entire representation of the
testator accrues to the surviving executor or executors.
Section 227 - Effect of probate
Probate of a Will when granted
establishes the Will from the death of the testator, and renders valid all
intermediate acts of the executor as such.
Section 228 - Administration, with copy annexed, of authenticated copy of Will proved abroad
When a Will has been proved and
deposited in a Court of competent jurisdiction situated beyond the limits of
the State, whether within or beyond the limits of [86][India],
and a properly authenticated copy of the Will is produced, letters of
administration may be granted with a copy of such copy annexed.
Section 229 - Grant of administration where executor has not renounced
When a person appointed an executor has
not renounced the executor ship, letters of administration shall not be
granted to any other person until a citation has been issued, calling upon the
executor to accept or renounce his executor ship:
Provided that, when one or more of
several executors have proved a Will, the Court may, on the death of the
survivor of those who have proved, grant letters of administration without
citing those who have not proved.
Section 230 - Form and effect of renunciation of executorship
The renunciation may be made orally in
the presence of the Judge, or by a writing signed by the person renouncing, and
when made shall preclude him from ever thereafter applying for probate of the
Will appointing him executor.
Section 231 - Procedure where executor renounces or fails to accept within time limited
If an executor renounces or fails to accept
an executor ship within the time limited for the acceptance or refusal thereof,
the Will may be proved and letters of administration, with a copy of the Will
annexed, may be granted to the person who would be entitled to administration
in case of intestacy.
Section 232 - Grant of administration of universal or residuary legatees
When?
(a)
the
deceased has made a Will, but has not appointed an executor, or
(b)
the
deceased has appointed an executor who is legally incapable or refuses to act,
or who has died before the testator or before he has proved the Will, or
(c)
the
executor dies after having proved the Will, but before he has administered all
the estate of the deceased, a universal or a residuary legatee may be admitted
to prove the Will, and letters of administration with the Will annexed may be
granted to him of the whole estate, or of so much thereof as may be
unadministered.
Section 233 - Right to administration of representative of deceased residuary legatees
When a residuary legatee who has a beneficial
interest survives the testator, but dies before the estate has been fully
administered, his representative has the same right to administration with the
Will annexed as such residuary legatee.
Section 234 - Grant of administration where no executor, nor residuary legatee, nor representative of such legatee
When there is no executor and no
residuary legatee or representative of a residuary legatee, or he declines or
is incapable to act, or cannot be found, the person or persons who would be
entitled to the administration of the estate of the deceased if he had died
intestate, or any other legatee having a beneficial interest, or a creditor,
may be admitted to prove the Will, and letters of administration may be granted
to him or them accordingly.
Section 235 - Citation before grant of administration to legatee other than universal or residuary
Letters of administration with the Will
annexed shall not be granted to any legatee other than an universal or a
residuary legatee, until a citation has been issued and published in the manner
hereinafter mentioned, calling on the next-of-kin to accept or refuse letters
of administration.
Section 236 - To whom administration may not be granted
Letters of administration cannot be
granted to any person who is a minor or is of unsound mind, [87][nor
to any association of individuals unless it is a company which satisfies the
conditions prescribed by rules to be made [88][by
notification in the Official Gazette,] by the [89][State
Government] in this behalf].
Section 236A - Laying of rules before State Legislature
[90][236A. Laying of
rules before State Legislature
Every rule made by the State Government
under section 223 and section 236 shall be laid, as soon as it is made, before
the State Legislature.]
Section 237 - Probate of copy or draft of lost Will
When a Will has been lost or mislaid
since the testator's death, or has been destroyed by wrong or accident and not
by any act of the testator, and a copy or the draft of the Will has been
preserved, probate may be granted of such copy or draft, limited until the
original or a properly authenticated copy of it is produced.
Section 238 - Probate of contents of lost or destroyed Will
When a Will has been lost or destroyed
and no copy has been made nor the draft preserved, probate may be granted
of its contents if they can be established by evidence.
Section 239 - Probate of copy where original exists
When the Will is in the possession of a
person residing out of the state in which application for probate is made, who
has refused or neglected to deliver it up, but a copy has been transmitted to
the executor, and it is necessary for the interests of the estate that
probate should be granted without waiting for the arrival of the original,
probate may be granted of the copy so transmitted, limited until the Will or an
authenticated copy of it is produced.
Section 240 - Administration until Will produced
Where no Will of the deceased is
forthcoming, but there is reason to believe that there is a Will in existence,
letters of administration may be granted, limited until the Will or an
authenticated copy of it is produced.
Section 241 - Administration, with Will annexed, to attorney of absent executor
When any executor is absent from the
State in which application is made, and there is no executor within the State
willing to act, letters of administration, with the Will annexed, may be
granted to the attorney or agent of the absent executor, for the use and
benefit of his principal, limited until he shall obtain probate or letters
of administration granted to himself.
Section 242 - Administration, with Will annexed, to attorney of absent person who, if present, would be entitled to administer
When any person to whom, if present,
letters of administration, with the Will annexed, might be granted, is absent
from the State, letters of administration, with the Will annexed may be granted
to his attorney or agent, limited as mentioned in section 241.
Section 243 - Administration, to attorney of absent person entitled to administer in case of intestacy
When a person entitled to
administration in case of intestacy is absent from the State, and no person
equally entitled is Willing to act, letters of administration may be granted to
the attorney or agent of the absent person, limited as mentioned in
section 241.
Section 244 - Administration, during minority of sole executor or residuary legatee
When a minor is sole executor or sole
residuary legatee, letters of administration, with the Will annexed, may be
granted to the legal guardian of such minor or to such other person as the
Court may think fit until the minor has attained his majority at which period,
and not before, probate of the Will shall be granted to him.
Section 245 - Administration, during minority of several executors or residuary legatees
When there are two or more minor
executors and no executor who has attained majority, or two or more
residuary legatees and no residuary legatee who has attained majority, the
grant shall be limited until one of them shall have attained his majority.
Section 246 - Administration, for use and benefit of lunatic or minor
If a sole executor or a sole universal
or residuary legatee, or a person who would be solely entitled to the estate of
the intestate according to the rule for the distribution of interstate's
estates applicable in the case of the deceased, is a minor or lunatic, letters
of administration, with or without the Will annexed, as the case may
be, shall be granted to the person to whom the care of his estate has been
committed by competent authority, or, if there is no such person, to such other
person as the Court may think fit to appoint, for the use and benefit of the
minor or lunatic until he attains majority or becomes of sound mind, as the
case may be.
Section 247 - Administration, pendente lite
Pending any suit touching the validity
of the Will of a deceased person or for obtaining or revoking any probate or
any grant of letters of administration the Court may appoint an administrator
of the estate of such deceased person, who shall have all the rights and powers
of a general administrator, other than the right of distributing such estate,
and every such administrator shall be subject to the immediate control of the
Court and shall act under its direction.
Section 248 - Probate limited to purpose specified in Will
If an executor is appointed for any
limited purpose specified in the Will, the probate shall be limited to
that purpose, and if he should appoint an attorney or agent to take
administration on his behalf, the letters of administration, with the Will
annexed, shall be limited accordingly.
Section 249 - Administration, with Will annexed, limited to particular purpose
If an executor appointed generally
gives an authority to an attorney or agent to prove a Will on his behalf, and
the authority is limited to a particular purpose, the letters of
administration, with the Will annexed, shall be limited accordingly.
Section 250 - Administration, limited to property in which person has beneficial interest
Where a person dies, leaving property
of which he was the sole or surviving trustee, or in which he had no beneficial
interest on his own account and leaves no general representative, or one
who is unable or unwilling to act as such, letters of administration, limited
to such property, may be granted to the beneficiary, or to some other person on
his behalf.
Section 251 - Administration limited to suit
When it is necessary that the
representative of a person deceased be made a party to a pending suit, and the
executor, or person entitled to administration is unable or unwilling to act,
letters of administration may be granted to the nominee of a party in such
suit, limited for the purpose of representing the deceased in the said suit, or
in any other cause or suit which may be commenced in the same or in any other
Court between the parties, or any other parties, touching the matters at issue
in the said cause or suit, and until a final decree shall be made therein and
carried into complete execution.
Section 252 - Administration limited to purpose of becoming party to suit to be brought against administrator
If, at the expiration of twelve months
from the date of any probate or letters of administration, the executor or
administrator to whom the same has been granted is absent from the State within
which the Court which has granted the probate or letters of administration
exercises jurisdiction, the court may grant, to any person whom it may think
fit, letters of administration limited to the purpose of becoming and being made
a party to a suit to be brought against the executor or administrator, and
carrying the decree which may be made therein into effect.
Section 253 - Administration limited to collection and preservation of deceased's property
In any case in which it appears
necessary for preserving the property of a deceased person, the Court within
whose jurisdiction any of the property is situate may grant to any person, whom
such Court may think fit, letters of administration limited to the collection
and preservation of the property of the deceased and to the giving of
discharges for debts due to his estate, subject to the directions of the
Court.
Section 254 - Appointment, as administrator, of person other than one who, in ordinary circumstances, would be entitled to administration
(1)
When
a person has died intestate, or leaving a Will of which there is no executor
Willing and competent to act or where the executor is, at the time of the death
of such person, resident out of the State, and it appears to the Court to be
necessary or convenient to appoint some person to administer the estate or any
part thereof, other than the person who, in ordinary circumstances, would be
entitled to a grant of administration, the Court may, in its discretion, having
regard to consanguinity, amount of interest, the safety of the estate and
probability that it Will be properly administered, appoint such person as it
thinks fit to be an administrator.
(2)
In
every such case letters of administration may be limited or not as the Court
thinks fit.
Section 255 - Probate or administration, with Will annexed, subject to exception
Whenever the nature of the case
requires that an exception be made probate of a Will, or letters of
administration with the Will annexed, shall be granted subject to such
exception.
Section 256 - Administration with exception
Whenever the nature of the case
requires that an exception be made, letters of administration shall be
granted subject to such exception.
Section 257 - Grants of the rest : Probate or administration of rest
Whenever a grant with exception of
probate, or of letters of administration with or without the Will annexed, has
been made, the person entitled to probate or administration of the remainder of
the deceased's estate may take a grant of probate or letters of administration
as the case may be, of the rest of the deceased's estate.
Section 258 - Grant of effects unadministered
If an executor to whom probate has been
granted has died, leaving a part of the testator's estate unadministered, a new
representative may be appointed for the purpose of administering such part of
the estate.
Section 259 - Rules as to grants of effects unadministered
In granting letters of administration
of an estate not fully administered, the Court shall be guided by the same
rules as apply to original grants, and shall grant letters of administration to
those persons only to whom original grants might have been made.
Section 260 - Administration when limited grant expired and still some part of estate unadministered
When a limited grant has expired, by
efflux of time, or the happening of the event or contingency on which it was
limited, and there is still some part of the deceased's estate unadministered,
letters of administration shall be granted to those persons to whom
original grants might have been made.
Section 261 - What errors may be rectified by Court
Errors in names and descriptions, or in
setting forth the time and place of the deceased's death or the purpose in a
limited grant, may be rectified by the Court and the grant of probate or
letters of administration may be altered and amended accordingly.
Section 262 - Procedure where codicil discovered after grant of administration with Will annexed
If, after the grant of letters of
administration with the Will annexed, a codicil is discovered, it may be added
to the grant on due proof and identification, and the grant may be altered and
amended accordingly.
Section 263 - Revocation or annulment for just cause
The grant of probate or letters of
administration may be revoked or annulled for just cause.
Explanation.?Just cause shall be deemed
to exist where?
(a)
the
proceedings to obtain the grant were defective in substance; or
(b)
the
grant was obtained fraudulently by making a false suggestion, or suggestion, or
by concealing from the Court something material to the case; or
(c)
the
grant was obtained by means of an untrue allegation of a fact essential in
point of law to justify the grant, though such allegation was made in ignorance
or inadvertently; or
(d)
the
grant has become useless and inoperative through circumstances; or
(e)
the
person to whom the grant was made has willfully and without reasonable cause
omitted to exhibit an inventory or account in accordance with the provisions of
Chapter VII of this Part, or has exhibited under that Chapter an inventory or
account which is untrue in a material respect.
(f) The Court by which
the grant was made had no jurisdiction.
(g) The grant was made
without citing parties who ought to have been cited.
(h) The Will of which
probate was obtained was forged or revoked.
(i) A obtained letters of
administration to the estate of B, as his widow, but it has since transpired
that she was never married to him.
(j) A has been taken
administration to the estate of B as if he had died intestate, but a Will has
since been discovered.
(k)
?Since probate was granted, a latter Will has
been discovered.
(l)
Since
probate was granted, a codicil has been discovered which revokes or adds to the
appointment of executors under the Will.
(m)
The
person to whom probate was, or letters of administration were, granted has
subsequently become of unsound mind.
Section 264 - Jurisdiction of District Judge in granting and revoking probates, etc.
(1)
The
District Judge shall have jurisdiction in granting and revoking probates and
letters of administration in all cases within his district.
(2)
Except
in cases to which section 57 applies, no court in any local area beyond the
limits of the towns of Calcutta, Madras and Bombay, [91][***]
shall, where the deceased is a Hindu, Muhammad an, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina or
an exempted person, receive applications for probate or letters of
administration until the State Government has, by a notification in the
Official Gazette, authorised it so to do.
Section 265 - Power to appoint Delegate of District Judge to deal with non-contentious cases
(1) The High Court may
appoint such judicial officers within any districts as it thinks fit to act for
the District Judge as delegates to grant probate and letters of administration
in non-contentious cases, within such local limits as it may prescribe:
Provided that, in the case of High
Courts not established by Royal Charter such appointments shall not be without
the previous sanction of the State Government.
(2) Persons so appointed
shall be called "District Delegates".
Section 266 - District Judge's powers as to grant of probate and administration
The District Judge shall have the like
powers and authority in relation to the granting of probate and letters of
administration, and all matters connected therewith, as are by law vested in
him in relation to any civil suit or proceeding pending in his Court.
Section 267 - District Judge may order person to produce testamentary papers
(1)
The
District Judge may order any person to produce and bring into Court any paper
or writing, being or purporting to be testamentary, which may be shown to be in
the possession or under the control of such person.
(2)
If
it is not shown that any such paper or writing is in the possession or under
the control of such person, but there is reason to believe that he has the
knowledge of any such paper or writing, the court may direct such person to
attend for the purpose of being examined respecting the same.
(3)
Such
person shall be bound to answer truly such questions as may be put to him by
the court, and, if so ordered, to produce and bring in such paper or writing,
and shall be subject to the like punishment under the Indian Penal Code, 1860
(45 of 1860), in case of default in not attending or in not answering such
questions or not bringing in such paper or writing, as he would have been
subject to in case he had been a party to a suit and had made such default.
(4)
The
costs of the proceeding shall be in the discretion of the Judge.
Section 268 - Proceedings of District Judge's Court in relation to probate and administration
The proceedings of the court of the
District Judge in relation to the granting of probate and letters of
administration shall, save as hereinafter otherwise provided; be regulated, so
far as the circumstances of the case permit, by the Code of Civil Procedure,
1908 (5 of 1908).
Section 269 - When and how District Judge to interfere for protection of property
(1)
Until
probate is granted of the Will of a deceased person, or an administrator of his
estate is constituted, the District Judge, within whose jurisdiction any part
of the property of the deceased person is situate, is authorised and required
to interfere for the protection of such property at the instance of any person
claiming to be interested therein, and in all other cases where the Judge
considers that the property incurs any risk of loss or damage; and for that
purpose, if he thinks fit, to appoint an officer to take and keep possession of
the property.
(2)
This
section shall not apply when the deceased is a Hindu, Muhammad an, Buddhist,
Sikh or Jaina or an exempted person, nor shall it apply to any part of the
property of an Indian Christian who has died intestate.
Section 270 - When probate or administration may be granted by District Judge
Probate of the Will or letters of
administration to the estate of a deceased person may be granted by a District
Judge under the seal of his Court, if it appears by a petition, verified as
hereinafter provided, of the person applying for the same that the testator or
intestate, as the case may be, at the time of his decease had a fixed place of
abode, or any property, moveable or immoveable, within the jurisdiction of the
Judge.
Section 271 - Disposal of application made to Judge of district in which deceased had no fixed abode
When the application is made to the
Judge of a district in which the deceased had no fixed abode at the time of his
death, it shall be in the discretion of the Judge to refuse, the application,
if in his judgment it could be disposed of more justly or conveniently in
another district, or, where the application is for letters of administration,
to grant them absolutely, or limited to the property within his own
jurisdiction.
Section 272 - Probate and letters of administration may be granted by Delegate
Probate and letters of administration
may, upon application for that purpose of any District Delegate, be granted by
him in any case in which there is no contention, if it appears by petition,
verified as hereinafter provided, that the testator or intestate, as the case
may be, at the time of his death had a fixed place of abode within the
jurisdiction of such Delegate.
Section 273 - Conclusiveness of probate or letters of administration
Probate or letters of administration
shall have effect overall the property and estate, moveable or immoveable, of
the deceased, throughout the State in which the same is or are granted, and
shall be conclusive as to the representative title against all debtors of the
deceased, and all persons holding property which belongs to him, and shall
afford full indemnity to all debtors, paying their debts and all persons
delivering up such property to the person to whom such probate or letters of
administration have been granted:
Provided that probates and letters of administration
granted-
(a)
by
a High Court, or
(b)
by
a District Judge, where the deceased at the time of his death had a fixed place
of abode situate within the jurisdiction of such Judge, and such Judge
certifies that the value of the property and estate affected beyond the limits
of the State does not exceed ten thousand rupees,shall, unless otherwise
directed by the grant, have like effect throughout [92][the
other States [93][*
* *][94] [The
proviso to this section shall apply in [95][India][96]after
the separation of Burma and Aden from India to probates and letters of
administration granted in Burma and Aden before the date of the separation, or
after that date in proceedings which were pending at that date.][97][The
proviso shall also apply in [98][India][99][***][100]after
the separation of Pakistan from India to probates and letters of administration
granted before the date of the separation, or after that date in proceedings
pending at that date, in any of the territories which on that date constituted
Pakistan.]
Section 274 - Transmission to High Courts of certificate of grants under proviso to section 273
(1)
Where
probate or letters of administration has or have been granted by a High Court
or District Judge with the effect referred to in the proviso to section 273,
the High Court or District Judge shall send a certificate thereof to the
following courts, namely:?
(2)
when
the grant has been made by a High Court, to each of the other High Courts;
(3)
when
the grant has been made by a District Judge, to the High Court to which such
District Judge is subordinate and to each of the other High Courts.
(4)
?Every certificate referred to in sub-section
(1) shall be made as nearly as circumstances admit in the form set forth in
Schedule IV, and such certificate shall be filed by the High Court receiving
the same.
(5)
Where
any portion of the assets has been stated by the petitioner, as hereinafter
provided in sections 276 and 278, to be situate within the jurisdiction of a
District Judge in another State, the Court required to send the certificate
referred to in sub-section (1) shall send a copy thereof to such District
Judge, and such copy shall be filed by the District Judge receiving the same.
Section 275 - Conclusiveness of application for probate or administration if properly made and verified
The application for probate or letters
of administration, if made and verified in the manner hereinafter provided,
shall be conclusive for the purpose of authorising the grant of probate or
administration; and no such grant shall be impeached by reason only that the
testator or intestate had no fixed place of abode or no property within the
district at the time of his death, unless by a proceeding to revoke the grant
if obtained by a fraud upon the Court.
Section 276 - Petition for probate
(1)
Application
for probate or for letters of administration, with the Will annexed, shall be
made by a petition distinctly written in English or in the language in ordinary
use in proceedings before the Court in which the application is made, with the
Will or, in the cases mentioned in sections 237, 238 and 239, a copy, draft, or
statement of the contents thereof, annexed, and stating?
(a)
the
time of the testator's death,
(b)
that
the writing annexed is his last Will and testament,
(c)
that
it was duly executed,
(d)
the
amount of assets which are likely to come to the petitioner's hands, and
(e)
when
the application is for probate, that the petitioner is the executor named in
the Will.
(2)
In
addition to these particulars, the petition shall further state,?
(a)
when
the application is to the District Judge, that the deceased at the time of his
death had a fixed place of abode, or had some property, situate within the
jurisdiction of the Judge; and
(b)
when
the application is to a District Delegate, that the deceased at the time of his
death had a fixed place of abode within the jurisdiction of such Delegate.
(3)
Where
the application is to the District Judge and any portion of the assets likely
to come to the petitioner's hands is situate in another State, the petition
shall further state the amount of such assets in each State and the District
Judges within whose jurisdiction such assets are situate.
Section 277 - In what cases translation of Will to be annexed to petition. Verification of translation by person other than Court translator
In cases wherein the Will, copy or
draft, is written in any language other than English or than that in ordinary
use in proceedings before the Court, there shall be a translation thereof
annexed to the petition by a translator of the Court, if the language be one
for which a translator is appointed; or, if the Will, copy or draft, is in any
other language, then by any person competent to translate the same, in which
case such translation shall be verified by that person in the following manner,
namely:?"I (A.B.) do declare that I read and perfectly understand the
language and character of the original, and that the above is a true and
accurate translation thereof."
Section 278 - Petition for letters ofadministration
(1)
Application
for letters of administration shall be made by petition distinctly written as
aforesaid and stating?
(a)
the
time and place of the deceased's death;
(b)
the
family or other relatives of the deceased, and their respective residences;
(c)
the
right in which the petitioner claims;
(d)
the
amount of assets which are likely to come to the petitioner's hands;
(e)
when
the application is to the District Judge, that the deceased at the time of his
death had a fixed place of abode, or had some property, situate within the
jurisdiction of the Judge; and
(f)
when
the application is to a District Delegate, that the deceased at the time of his
death had a fixed place of abode within the jurisdiction of such Delegate.
(2)
Where
the application is to the District Judge and any portion of the assets likely
to come to the petitioner's hands is situate in another State, the petition
shall further state the amount of such assets in each State and the District
Judges within whose jurisdiction such assets are situate.
Section 279 - Addition to statement in petition, etc., for probate or letters of administration in certain cases
(1)
Every
person applying to any of the Courts mentioned in the proviso to section 273
for probate of a Will or letters of administration of an estate intended to
have effect throughout [101][India],
shall state in his position, in addition to the matters respectively required
by section 276 and section 278, that to the best of his belief no application
has been made to any other Court for a probate of the same Will or for letters
of administration of the same estate, intended to have such effect as last
aforesaid, or, where any such application has been made, the Court to which it
was made, the person or persons by whom it was made and the proceedings (if
any) had thereon.
(2)
The
Court to which any such application is made under the proviso to section 273
may, if it thinks fit, reject the same.
Section 280 - Petition for probate, etc., to be signed and verified
The petition for probate or letters of
administration shall in all case be subscribed by the petitioner and his
pleader, if any, and shall be verified by the petitioner in the following
manner, namely:?"I (A.B.), the petitioner in the above petition, declare
that what is stated therein is true to the best of my information and belief."
Section 281 - Verification of petition for probate, by one witness to Will
Where the application is for probate,
the petition shall also be verified by at least one of the witnesses to the
Will (when procurable) in the manner or to the effect following, namely:"I
(C.D.), one of the witnesses to the last Will and testament of the testator
mentioned in the above petition, declare that I was present and saw the said
testator affix his signature (or mark) thereto (or that the said testator
acknowledged the writing annexed to the above petition to be his last Will and
testament in my presence)."
Section 282 - Punishment for false averment in petition or declaration
If any petition or declaration which is
hereby required to be verified contains any averment which the person making
the verification knows or believes to be false, such person shall be deemed to
have committed an offence under section 193 of the Indian Penal Code,
1860 (45 of 1860).
Section 283 - Powers of District Judge
(1)
In
all cases the District judge or District Delegate may, if he thinks proper,?
(a)
examine
the petitioner in person, upon oath;
(b)
require
further evidence of the due execution of the Will or the right of the
petitioner to the letters of administration, as the case may be;
(c)
issue
citations calling upon all persons claiming to have any interest in the estate
of the deceased to come and see the proceedings before the grant of probate or
letters of administration.
(2)
The
citation shall be fixed up in some conspicuous part of the court-house, and
also the office of the Collector of the district and otherwise published or
made known in such manner as the Judge or District Delegate issuing the same
may direct.
(3)
Where
any portion of the assets has been stated by the petitioner to be situate
within the jurisdiction of a District Judge in another State, the District
Judge issuing the same shall cause a copy of the citation to be sent to such
other District Judge, who shall publish the same in the same manner as if it
were a citation issued by himself, and shall certify such publication to the
District Judge who issued the citation.
Section 284 - Caveats against grant of probate or administration
(1)
Caveats
against the grant of probate or administration may be lodged with a District
Judge or a District Delegate.
(2)
Immediately
on any caveat being lodged with any District Delegate, he shall send copy
thereof to the District Judge.
(3)
Immediately
on a caveat being entered with the District Judge, a copy thereof shall be
given to, the District Delegate, if any, within whose jurisdiction it is
alleged the deceased had fixed place of abode at the time of his death, and to
any other Judge or District Delegate to whom it may appear to the District
Judge expedient to transmit the same.
(4)
Form
of caveat.?The caveat shall be made as nearly as circumstances admit in the
form set forth in Schedule V.
Section 285 - After entry of caveat, no proceeding taken on petition until after notice to caveator
No proceeding shall be taken on a
petition for probate or letters of administration after a caveat against the
grant thereof has been entered with the Judge or District Delegate to whom the
application has been made or notice has been given of its entry with some other
Delegate, until after such notice to the person by whom the same has been
entered as the Court may think reasonable./P>
Section 286 - District Delegate when not to grant probate or administration
A District Delegate shall not grant
probate or letters of administration in any case in which there is contention
as to the grant, or in which it otherwise appears to him that probate or
letters of administration ought not to be granted in his Court.
Explanation.?"Contention"
means the appearance of any one in person, or by his recognised agent, or by a
pleader duly appointed to act on his behalf, to oppose the proceeding.
Section 287 - Power to transmit statement to District Judge in doubtful cases where no contention
In every case in which there is no
contention, but it appears to the District Delegate doubtful whether the
probate or letters of administration should or should not be granted, or when
any question arises in relation to the grant, or application for the grant, of
any probate or letters of administration, the District Delegate may, if he
thinks proper, transmit a statement of the matter in question to the District
Judge, who may direct the District Delegate to proceed in the matter of the
application, according to such instructions as to the Judge may seem necessary,
or may forbid any further proceeding by the District Delegate in relation to
the matter of such application, leaving the party applying for the grant in
question to make application to the Judge.
Section 288 - Procedure where there is contention, or District Delegate thinks probate or letters of administration should be refused in his Court
In every case in which there is
contention, or the District Delegate is of opinion that the probate or letters
of administration should be refused in his Court, the petition, with any
documents which may have been filed therewith, shall be returned to the person
by whom the application was made, in order that the same may be presented to
the District Judge, unless the District Delegate thinks it necessary, for the
purpose of justice, to impound the same, which he is hereby authorised to do;
and, in that case, the same shall be sent by him to the District Judge.
Section 289 - Grant of probate to be under seal of Court
When it appears to the District Judge
or District Delegate that probate of a Will should be granted, he shall grant
the same under the seal of his Court in the form set forth in Schedule VI.
Section 290 - Grant of letters of administration to be under seal of Court
When it appears to the District Judge
or District Delegate that letters of administration to the estate of a person
deceased, with or without a copy of the Will annexed, should be granted, he
shall grant the same under the seal of his Court in the form set forth in Schedule
VII.
Section 291 - Administration bond
(1)
Every
person to whom any grant of letters of administration, other than a grant under
section 241, is committed, shall give a bond to the District Judge with one or
more surety or sureties, engaging for the due collection, getting in, and
administering the estate of the deceased, which bond shall be in such form as
the Judge may, by general or special order, direct.
(2)
When
the deceased was Hindu, Muhammad an, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina or an exempted
person?
(3)
the
exception made by sub-section (1) in respect of a grant under section 241 shall
not operate;
(4)
the
District Judge may demand a like bond from any person to whom probate is
granted.
Section 292 - Assignment of administration-bond
The Court may, on application made by
petition and on being satisfied that the engagement of any such bond has not
been kept, and upon such terms as to security, or providing that the money
received be paid into Court, or otherwise, as the Court may think fit, assign
the same to some person, his executors or administrators, who shall thereupon
be entitled to sue on the said bond in his or their own name or names as if the
same had been originally given to him or them instead of to the Judge of the
Court, and shall be entitled to recover thereon, as trustees for all person
interested, the full amount recoverable in respect of any breach thereof.
Section 293 - Time for grant of probate and administration
No probate of a Will shall be granted
until after the expiration of seven clear days, and no letters of
administration shall be granted until after the expiration of fourteen clear
days from the day of the testator or interstate's death.
Section 294 - Filing of original Wills of which probate or administration with Will annexed granted
(1)
Every
District Judge, or District Delegate, shall file and preserve all original
Wills, of which probate or letters of administration with the Will annexed may
be granted by him, among the records of his Court, until some public registry
for wills is established.
(2)
The
State Government shall make regulations for the preservation and inspection of
the Wills so filed.
Section 295 - Procedure in contentious cases
In any case before the District Judge
in which there is contention, the proceedings shall take, as nearly as may be,
the form of a regular suit, according to the provisions of the Code of Civil
Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) in which the petitioner for probate or letters of
administration, as the case may be, shall be the plaintiff, and the person who
has appeared to oppose the grant shall be the defendant.
Section 296 - Surrender of revoked probate or letters of administration
(1)
When
a grant of probate or letters of administration is revoked or annulled under
this Act, the person to whom the grant was made shall forthwith deliver up the
probate or letters to the Court which made the grant.
(2)
If
such person willfully and without reasonable cause omits so to deliver up the
probate or letters, he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one thousand
rupees, or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or
with both.
Section 297 - Payment to executor or administrator before probate or administration revoked
When a grant of probate or letters of
administration is revoked, all payments bonafide made to any executor or
administrator under such grant before the revocation thereof shall,
notwithstanding such revocation, be a legal discharge to the person making the
same; and the executor or administrator who has acted under any such revoked
grant may retain and reimburse himself in respect of any payments made by him
which the person to whom probate or letters of administration may afterwards be
granted might have lawfully made.
Section 298 - Power to refuse letters of administration
Notwithstanding anything hereinbefore
contained, it shall, where the deceased was a Muhammad an, Buddhist or exempted
person, or a Hindu, Sikh or Jaina to whom section 57 does not apply, be in the
discretion of the court to make an order refusing, for reasons to be recorded
by it in writing, to grant any application for letters of administration made
under this Act.
Section 299 - Appeals from orders of District Judge
Every order made by a District Judge by
virtue of the powers hereby conferred upon him shall be subject to appeal to
the High Court in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Civil
Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), applicable to appeals.
Section 300 - Concurrent jurisdiction of High Court
(1)
The
High Court shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the District Judge in the
exercise of all the powers hereby conferred upon the District Judge.
(2)
Except
in cases to which section 57 applies, no High Court, in exercise of the
concurrent jurisdiction hereby conferred over any local area beyond the limits
of the towns of Calcutta, Madras and Bombay[102][*
* *] shall, where the deceased is a Hindu, Muhammad an, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina
or an exempted person, receive applications for probate or letters of
administration until the State Government has, by a notification in the
Official Gazette, authorised it so to do.
Section 301 - Removal of executor or administrator and provision for successor
The High Court may, on application made
to it, suspend, remove or discharge any private executor or administrator and
provide for the succession of another person to the office of any such executor
or administrator who may cease to hold office, and the vesting in such
successor of any property belonging to the estate.
Section 302 - Directions to executor or administrator
Where probate or letters of
administration in respect of any estate has or have been granted under this
Act, the High Court may, on application made to it, give to the executor or
administrator any general or special directions in regard to the estate or in
regard to the administration thereof.
Section 303 - Executor of his own wrong
A person who intermeddles with the
estate of the deceased, or does any other act which belongs to the office of
executor, while there is no rightful executor or administrator in existence,
thereby makes himself an executor of his own wrong.Exceptions.?
(1)
Intermeddling
with the goods of the deceased for the purpose of preserving them or providing
for his funeral or for the immediate necessities of his family or property,
does not make an executor of his own wrong.
(2)
Dealing
in the ordinary course of business with goods of the deceased received from
another does not make an executor of his own wrong.
(3) A uses or gives away
or sells some of the goods of the deceased, or takes them to satisfy his own
debt or legacy or receives payment of the debts of the deceased. He is an
executor of his own wrong.
(4) A, having been
appointed agent by the deceased in his lifetime to collect his debts and sell
his goods, continues to do so after he has become aware of his death. He is an
executor or his own wrong in respect of acts done after he has become aware of
the death of the deceased.
(5)
A
sues as executor of the deceased, not being such. He is an executor of his own
wrong.
Section 304 - Liability of executor of his own wrong
When a person has so acted as to become
an executor of his own wrong, he is answerable to the rightful executor or
administrator, or to any creditor or legatee of the deceased, to the extent of
the assets which may have come to his hands after deducting payments made to
the rightful executor or administrator, and payments made in due course of
administration.
Section 305 - In respect of causes of action surviving deceased and debts due at death
An executor or administrator has the
same power to sue in respect of all causes of action that survive the deceased,
and may exercise the same power for the recovery of debts as the deceased had
when living.
Section 306 - Demands and rights of action of or against deceased survive to and against executor or administrator
All demands whatsoever and all rights
to prosecute or defend any action or special proceeding existing in favour of
or against a person at the time of his decease, survive to and against his
executors or administrators; except causes of action for defamation, assault,
as defined in the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860) or other persons
injuries not causing the death of the party; and except also cases where, after
the death of the party, the relief sought could not be enjoyed or granting it
would be nugatory.
(i)
A
collision takes place on a railway in consequence of some neglect or default of
an official, and a passenger is severely hurt, but not so as to cause death. He
afterwards dies without having brought any action. The cause of action does not
survive.
(ii)
A
sues for divorce. A dies. The cause of action does not survive to his
representative.
[STATE AMENDMENTS
[Karnataka
[103][In Section 306
(a)
the
words, figures and brackets "assault, as defined in the Indian Penal Code
(Central Act 45 of 1860) or other personal injuries not causing the death of
the party" shall be omitted;
(b)
in
the illustration, clause (i) and entries relating thereto, shall be omitted.]]]
Section 307 - Power of executor or administrator to dispose of property
(1)
Subject
to the provisions of sub-section (2), an executor or administrator has power to
dispose of the property of the deceased, vested in him under section 211,
either wholly or in part, in such manner as he may think fit.
(2) The deceased has made
a specific bequest of part of his property. The executor, not having assented
to the bequest, sells the subject of it. The sale is valid.
(3) The executor in the
exercise of his discretion mortgages a part of the immovable estate of the deceased.
The mortgage is valid.
(4) If the deceased was a
Hindu, Muhammad an, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina or an exempted person, the general
power conferred by sub-section (1) shall be subject to the following
restrictions and conditions, namely:?
(5)
The
power of an executor to dispose of immovable property so vested in him is
subject to any restriction which may be imposed in this behalf by the Will
appointing him, unless probate has been granted to him and the Court which
granted the probate permits him by an order in writing, notwithstanding the
restriction, to dispose of any immovable property specified in the order in a
manner permitted by the order.
(6)
An
administrator may not, without the previous permission of the Court by which
the letters of administration were granted,-
(7) mortgage, charge or
transfer by sale, gift, exchange or otherwise any immovable property for the
time being vested in him under section 211, or
(8) lease any such
property for a term exceeding five years.
(9)
A
disposal of property by an executor or administrator in contravention of clause
(i) or clause (ii), as the case may be, is voidable at the instance of any
other person interested in the property.
(10)
Before
any probate or letters of administration is or are granted in such a case, there
shall be endorsed thereon or annexed thereto a copy of sub-section (1) and
clauses (i) and (iii) of sub-section (2) or of sub-section (1) and clauses (ii)
and (iii) of sub-section (2), as the case may be.
(11)
A
probate or letters of administration shall not be rendered invalid by reason of
the endorsement or annexure required by sub-section (3) not having been made
thereon or attached thereto, nor shall the absence of such an endorsement or
annexure authorise an executor or administrator to act otherwise than in
accordance with the provisions of this section.
Section 308 - General powers of administration
An executor or administrator may, in
addition to, and not in derogation of any other powers of expenditure lawfully
exercisable by him, incur expenditure?
(a)
on
such acts as may be necessary for the proper care or management of any property
belonging to any estate administered by him; and
(b)
with
the sanction of the High Court, on such religious, charitable and other
objects, and on such improvements, as may be reasonable and proper in the case
of such property.
Section 309 - Commission or agency charges
An executor or administrator shall not
be entitled to receive or retain any commission or agency charges at a higher
rate than that for the time being fixed in respect of the Administrator-General
by or under the Administrator-General's Act, 1913 (3 of 1913)[104].
Section 310 - Purchase by executor or administrator of deceased's property
If any executor or administrator
purchases, either directly or indirectly, any part of the property of the
deceased, the sale is voidable at the instance of any other person interested
in the property sold.
Section 311 - Powers of several executors or administrators exercisable by one
When there are several executors or
administrators, the powers of all may, in the absence of any direction to the
contrary, be exercised by any one of them who has proved the Will or taken out
administration.
(i)
One
of several executors has power to release a debt due to the deceased.
(ii) One has power to surrender
a lease.
(iii) One has power to sell
the property of the deceased whether movable or immovable.
(iv) One has power to
assent to a legacy.
(v) One has power to
endorse a promissory note payable to the deceased.
(vi)
The
Will appoints A, B, C and D to be executors, and directs that two of them shall
be a quorum. No act can be done by a single executor.
Section 312 - Survival of powers on death of one of several executors or administrators
Upon the death of one or more of
several executors or administrators, in the absence of any direction to the
contrary in the Will or grant of letters of administration, all the powers of
the office become vested in the survivors or survivor.
Section 313 - Powers of administrator of effects unadministered
The administrator of effects
unadministered has, with respect to such effects, the same powers as the
original executor or administrator.
Section 314 - Powers of administrator during minority
An administrator during minority has
all the powers of an ordinary administrator.
Section 315 - Powers of married executrix or administratrix
When a grant of probate or letters of
administration has been made to a married woman, she has all the powers of an
ordinary executor or administrator.
Section 316 - As to deceased's funeral
It is the duty of an executor to
provide funds for the performance of the necessary funeral ceremonies of the
deceased in a manner suitable to his condition, if he has left property
sufficient for the purpose.
Section 317 - Inventory and account
(1)
An
executor or administrator shall, within six months from the grant or probate or
letters of administration, or within such further time as the Court which
granted the probate or letters may appoint, exhibit in that Court an inventory
containing a full and true estimate of all the property in possession, and all
the credits, and also all the debts owing by any person to which the executor
or administrator is entitled in that character; and shall in like manner,
within one year from the grant or within such further time as the said Court
may appoint, exhibit an account of the estate, showing the assets which have
come to his hands and the manner in which they have been applied or disposed
of.
(2)
The
High Court may prescribe the form in which an inventory or account under this
section is to be exhibited.
(3)
If
an executor or administrator, on being required by the Court to exhibit an
inventory or account under this section, intentionally omits to comply with the
requisition, he shall be deemed to have committed an offence under section
176 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860(45 of 1860).
(4)
The
exhibition of an intentionally false inventory or account under this section
shall be deemed to be an offence under section 193 of that Code.
Section 318 - Inventory to include property in any part of India in certain cases
In all cases where a grant has been
made of probate or letters of administration intended to have effect
throughout [105][India], [106][*
* *] the executor or administrator shall include in the inventory of the
effects of the deceased all his movable and immovable property situate in [107][India]
and the value of such property situate in each state shall be separately stated
in such inventory, and the probate or letters of administration shall be
chargeable with a fee corresponding to the entire amount or value of the
property affected thereby wheresoever situate within [108][India].
Section 319 - As to property of, and debts owing to, deceased
The executor or administrator shall
collect, with reasonable diligence, the property of the deceased and the debts
that were due to him at the time of his death.
Section 320 - Expenses to be paid before all debts
Funeral expenses to a reasonable
amount, according to the degree and quality of the deceased, and death-bed
charges, including fees for medical attendance and board and lodging for one
month previous to his death, shall be paid before all debts.
Section 321 - Expenses to be paid next after such expenses
The expenses of obtaining probate or
letters of administration, including the costs incurred for or in respect of
any judicial proceedings that may be necessary for administering the estate,
shall be paid next after the funeral expenses and death-bed charges.
Section 322 - Wages for certain services to be next paid, and then other debts
Wages due for services rendered to the
deceased within three months next preceding his death by any labourer, artisan
or domestic servant shall next be paid, and then the other debts of the
deceased according to their respective priorities (if any).
Section 323 - Save as aforesaid, all debts to be paid equally and rateably
Save as aforesaid, no creditor shall
have a right of priority over another, but the executor or administrator, shall
pay all such debts as he knows of, including his own, equally and rateably as
far as the assets of the deceased Will extend.
Section 324 - Application of movable property to payment of debts where domicile not in India
(1)
If
the domicile of the deceased was not in [109][India],
the application of his movable property to the payment of his debts is to be
regulated by the law of [110][India].
(2)
No
creditor who has received payment of a part of his debt by virtue of
sub-section (1) shall be entitled to share in the proceeds of the immovable
estate of the deceased unless he brings such payment into account for the
benefit of the other creditors.
(3)
This
section shall not apply where the deceased was a Hindu, Muhammad an, Buddhist,
Sikh or Jaina or an exempted person.A dies, having his domicile in a country
where instruments under seal have priority over instruments not under seal
leaving movable property to the value of 5,000 rupees, and immovable property
to the value of 10,000 rupees, debts on instruments under seal to the amount of
10,000 rupees and debts on instruments not under seal to the same amount. The
creditors holding instruments under seal receive half of their debts out of the
proceeds of the moveable estate. The proceeds of the immovable estate are to be
applied in payment of the debts on instruments not under seal until one-half of
such debts has been discharged. This Will leave 5,000 rupees which are to be
distributed rateably amongst all the creditors without distinction, in
proportion to the amount which may remain due to them.
Section 325 - Debts to be paid before legacies
Debts of every description must be paid
before any legacy.
Section 326 - Executor or administrator not bound to pay legacies without indemnity
If the estate of the deceased is
subject to any contingent liabilities, an executor or administrator is not bound
to pay any legacy without a sufficient indemnity to meet the liabilities
whenever they may become due.
Section 327 - Abatement of general legacies
If the assets, after payment of debts,
necessary expenses and specific legacies, are not sufficient to pay all the
general legacies in full, the latter shall abate or be diminished in equal
proportions, and, in the absence of any direction to the contrary in the Will,
the executor has no right to pay one legatee in preference to another, or to
retain any money on account of a legacy to himself or to any person for whom he
is a trustee.
Section 328 - Non-abatement of specific legacy when assets sufficient to pay debts
Where there is a specific legacy, and
the assets are sufficient for the payment of debts and necessary expenses, the
thing specified must be delivered to the legatee without any abatement.
Section 329 - Right under demonstrative legacy when assets sufficient to pay debts and necessary expenses
Where there is a demonstrative legacy,
and the assets are sufficient for the payment of debts and necessary expenses,
the legatee has a preferential claim for payment of his legacy out of the fund
from which the legacy is directed to be paid until such fund is exhausted and
if, after the fund is exhausted, part of the legacy still remains unpaid, he is
entitled to rank for the remainder against the general assets as for a legacy
of the amount of such unpaid remainder.
Section 330 - Rateable abatement of specific legacies
If the assets are not sufficient to
answer the debts and the specific legacies, an abatement shall be made from the
latter rateably in proportion to their respective amounts.A has bequeathed to B
a diamond ring valued at 500 rupees, and to C a horse, valued at 1,000 rupees.
It is found necessary to sell all the effects of the testator; and his assets,
after payment of debts, are only 1,000 rupees. Of the sum rupees 333-5-4 are to
be paid to B, and rupees 666-10-8 to C.
Section 331 - Legacies treated as general for purpose of abatement
For the purpose of abatement, a legacy
for life, a sum appropriated by the Will to produce an annuity, and the value
of an annuity when no sum has been appropriated to produce it, shall be treated
as general legacies.
Section 332 - Assent necessary to complete legatee's title
(i)
The
assent of the executor or administrator is necessary to complete a legatee's
title to his legacy.
(ii) A by his Will
bequeaths to B his Government paper which is in deposit with the Imperial Bank
of India. The Bank has no authority to deliver the securities, nor B a right to
take possession of them, without the assent of the executor.
(iii)
A
by his Will has bequeathed to C his house in Calcutta in the tenancy of B. C is
not entitled to receive the rents without the assent of the executor or
administrator.
Section 333 - Effect of executor's assent to specific legacy
(1)
The
assent of the executor or administrator to a specific bequest shall be
sufficient to divest his interest as executor or administrator therein, and to
transfer the subject of the bequest of the legatee, unless the nature or the
circumstances of the property require that it shall be transferred in a
particular way.
(2)
This
assent may be verbal, and it may be either express or implied from the conduct
of the executor or administrator.
(3) A horse is
bequeathed. The executor requests the legatee to dispose of it, or a third
party proposes to purchase the horse from the executor, and he directs him to
apply to the legatee. Assent to the legacy is implied.
(4) The interest of a
fund is directed by the Will to be applied for the maintenance of the legatee
during his minority. The executor commences so to apply it. This is an assent
to the whole of the bequest.
(5) A bequest is made of
a fund to A and after him to B. The executor pays the interest of the fund to
A. This is an implied assent to the bequest to B.
(6) Executors die after
paying all the debts of the testator, but before satisfaction of specific
legacies. Assent to the legacies may be presumed.
(7)
A
person to whom a specific article has been bequeathed takes possession of it
and retains it without any objection on the part of the executor. His assent
may be presumed.
Section 334 - Conditional assent
(i)
The
assent of an executor or administrator to a legacy may be conditional and if
the condition is one which he has a right to enforce, and it is not performed,
there is no assent.Illustrations
(ii) A bequeaths to B his
lands of Sultanpur, which at the date of the Will, and at the death of A were
subject to a mortgage for 10,000 rupees. The executor assents to the bequest,
on condition that B shall within a limited time pay the amount due on the
mortgage at the testator's death. The amount is not paid. There is no assent.
(iii)
The
executor assents to a bequest on condition that the legatee shall pay him a sum
of money. The payment is not made. The assent is nevertheless valid.
Section 335 - Assent of executor to his own legacy
(1)
When
the executor or administrator is a legatee, his assent to his own legacy is
necessary to complete his title to it, in the same way as it is required when
the bequest is to another person, and his assent may, in like manner, be
expressed or implied.
(2)
Assent
shall be implied if in his manner of administering the properly he does any act
which is referable to his character of legatee and is not referable to his
character of executor or administrator.An executor takes the rent of a house or
the interest of Government securities bequeathed to him, and applies it to his
own use. This is assent.
Section 336 - Effect of executor's assent
(i)
The
assent of the executor or administrator to a legacy gives effect to it from the
death of the testator.
(ii) A legatee sells his
legacy before it is assented to by the executor. The executor's subsequent
assent operates for the benefit of the purchaser and completes his title to the
legacy.
(iii)
A
bequeaths 1,000 rupees to B with interest from his death. The executor does not
assent to his legacy until the expiration of a year from A's death, B is
entitled to interest from the death of A.
Section 337 - Executor when to deliver legacies
An executor or administrator is not
bound to pay or deliver any legacy until the expiration of one year from the
testator's death.IllustrationA by his Will directs his legacies to be paid
within six months after his death. The executor is not bound to pay them before
the expiration of a year.
Section 338 - Commencement of annuity when no time fixed by Will
Where an annuity is given by a Will and
no time is fixed for its commencement, it shall commence from the testator's
death, and the first payment shall be made at the expiration of a year next
after that event.
Section 339 - When annuity, to be paid quarterly or monthly, first falls due
Where there is a direction that the
annuity shall be paid quarterly or monthly, the first payment shall be due at
the end of the first quarter, or first month, as the case may be, after the
testator's death; and shall, if the executor or administrator thinks fit, be
paid when due, but the executor or administrator shall not be bound to pay it
till the end of the year.
Section 340 - Dates of successive payments when first payment directed to be made within a given time or on day certain: death of annuitant before date of payment
(1)
Where
there is a direction that the first payment of an annuity shall be made within
one month or any other division of time from the death of the testator or on a
day certain, the successive payments are to be made on the anniversary of the
earliest day on which the Will authorises the first payment to be made.
(2)
If
the annuitant dies in the interval between the times of payment, an apportioned
share of the annuity shall be paid to his representative.
Section 341 - Investment of sum bequeathed, where legacy, not specific given for life
Where a legacy, not being a specific
legacy, is given for life, the sum bequeathed shall at the end of the year be
invested in such securities as the High Court may by any general rule authorise
or direct, and the proceeds thereof shall be paid to the legatee as the same
shall accrue due.
Section 342 - Investment of general legacy, to be paid at future time, disposal of intermediate interest
(1)
Where
a general legacy is given to be paid at a future time, the executor or
administrator shall invest a sum sufficient to meet it in securities of the
kind mentioned in section 341.
(2)
The
intermediate interest shall form part of the residue of the testator's estate.
Section 343 - Procedure when no fund charged with, or appropriated to annuity
Where an annuity is given and no fund
is charged with its payment or appropriated by the Will to answer it, a
Government annuity of the specified amount shall be purchased, or, if no such
annuity can be obtained, then a sum sufficient to produce the annuity shall be
invested for that purpose in securities of the kind mentioned-in section 341.
Section 344 - Transfer to residuary legatee of contingent bequest
Where a bequest is contingent, the
executor or administrator is not bound to invest the amount of the legacy, but
may transfer the whole residue of the estate to the residuary legatee, if any,
on his giving sufficient security for the payment of the legacy, if it shall
become due.
Section 345 - Investment of residue bequeathed for life, without direction to invest in particular securities
(1)
Where
the testator has bequeathed the residue of his estate to a person for life
without any direction to invest it in any particular securities, so much
thereof as is not at the time of the testator's decease invested in securities
of the kind mentioned in section 341 shall be converted into money and invested
in such securities.
(2)
This
section shall not apply if the deceased was a Hindu, Muhammad an, Buddhist,
Sikh or Jaina or an exempted person.
Section 346 - Investment of residue bequeathed for life, with direction to invest in specified securities
Where the testator has bequeathed the
residue of his estate to a person for life with a direction that it shall be
invested in certain specified securities, so much of the estate as is not at
the time of his death invested in securities of the specified kind shall be
converted into money and invested in such securities.
Section 347 - Time and manner of conversion and Investment
Such conversion and investment as are
contemplated by sections 345 and 346 shall be made at such times and in such
manner as the executor or administrator thinks fit; and, until such conversion
and investment are completed, the person who would be for the time being
entitled to the income of the fund when so invested shall receive interest at the
rate of 4 per cent. per annum upon the market-value (to be computed as at the
date of the testator's death) of such part of the fund as has not been so
invested:
Provided that the rate of interest
prior to completion of investment shall be six per cent.per annum when the
testator was a Hindu, Muhammad an, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina or an exempted
person.
Section 348 - Procedure where minor entitled to immediate payment or possession of bequest, and no direction to pay to person on his behalf
(1)
Where,
by the terms of a bequest, the legatee is entitled to the immediate payment or
possession of the money or thing bequeathed, but is a minor, and there is no
direction in the Will to pay it to any person on his behalf, the executor or
administrator shall pay or deliver the same into the Court of the District
Judge, by whom or by whose District Delegate the probate was or letters of
administration with the Will annexed were, granted, to the account of the
legatee, unless the legatee is a ward of the Court of Wards.
(2)
If
the legatee is a ward of the Court of Wards, the legacy shall be paid to the
Court of Wards to his account.
(3)
Such
payment into the Court of the District Judge, or to the Court of Wards, as the
case may be, shall be a sufficient discharge for the money so paid.
(4)
Money
when paid in under this section shall be invested in the purchase of Government
securities, which, with the interest thereon, shall be transferred or paid to
the person entitled thereto, or otherwise applied for his benefit, as the Judge
or the Court of Wards, as the case may be, may direct.
Section 349 - Legatee's title to produce of specific legacy
The legatee of a specific legacy is
entitled to the clear produce thereof, if any, from the testator's
death.Exception.?A specific bequest, contingent in its terms, does not comprise
the produce of the legacy between the death of the testator and the vesting of
the legacy. The clear produce of it forms part of the residue of the testator's
estate.Illustrations
(i)
A
bequeaths his flock of sheep to B. Between the death of A and delivery by his
executor the sheep are shorn or some of the ewes produce lambs. The wool and
Iambs are the property of B.
(ii)
A
bequeaths his Government securities to B, but postpones the delivery of them
till the death of C The interest which falls due between the death of A and the
death of C belongs to B, and must, unless he is a minor, be paid to him as it
is received.
(iii)
The
testator bequeaths all his four percent. Government promissory notes to/1 when
he shall complete the age of 18. A, if he completes that age, is entitled to
receive the notes, but the interest which accrues in respect of them between
the testator's death and A's completing 18, form part of the residue.
Section 350 - Residuary legatee's title to produce of residuary fund
The legatee under a general residuary
bequest is entitled to the produce of the residuary fund from the testator's
death.Exception.?A general residuary bequest contingent in its terms does not
comprise the income which may accrue upon the fund bequeathed between the death
of the testator and the vesting of the legacy. Such income goes as undisposed
of.
(i)
The
testator bequeaths the residue of his property to A, a minor, to be paid to him
when he shall complete the age of 18. The income from the testator's death
belongs to A.
(ii)
The
testator bequeaths the residue of his property to A when he shall complete the
age of 18. A, if he completes that age, is entitled to receive that residue.
The income which has accrued in respect of it since the testator's death goes
as undisposed of.
Section 351 - Interest when no time fixed for payment of general legacy
Where no time has been fixed for the
payment of a general legacy, interest begins to run from expiration of one year
from the testator's death.Exception. ?
(1)
Where
the legacy is bequeathed in satisfaction of a debt, interest runs from the
death of the testator.
(2)
Where
the testator was a parent or a more remote ancestor of the legatee, or has put
himself in the place of a parent of the legatee, the legacy shall bear interest
from the death of the testator.
(3)
Where
a sum is bequeathed to a minor with a direction to pay for his maintenance out
of it, interest is payable from the death of the testator.
Section 352 - Interest when time fixed
Where a time has been fixed for the
payment of a general legacy, interest begins to run from the time so fixed. The
interest up to such time forms part of the residue of the testator's estate.
Exception.?Where the testator was a
parent or a more remote ancestor of the legatee, or has put himself in the
place of a parent of the legatee and the legatee is a minor, the legacy shall
bear interest from the death of the testator, unless a specific sum is given by
the Will for maintenance, or unless the Will contains a direction to the
contrary.
Section 353 - Rate of interest
The rate of interest shall be four
percent. per annum in all cases except when the testator was a Hindu, Muhammad
an, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina or an exempted person, in which case it shall be
six per cent. per annum.
Section 354 - No interest on arrears of annuity within first year after testator's death
No interest is payable on the arrears
of an annuity within the first year from the death of the testator, although a
period earlier than the expiration of that year may have been fixed by the Will
for making the first payment of the annuity.
Section 355 - Interest on sum to be invested to produce annuity
Where a sum of money is directed to be
invested to produce an annuity, interest is payable on it from the death of the
testator.
Section 356 - Refund of legacy paid under Court's orders
When an executor or administrator has
paid a legacy under the order of a Court, he is entitled to call upon the
legatee to refund in the event of the assets proving insufficient to pay all
the legacies.
Section 357 - No refund if paid voluntarily
When an executor or administrator has
voluntarily paid a legacy, he cannot call upon a legatee to refund in the event
of the assets proving insufficient to pay all the legacies.
Section 358 - Refund when legacy has become due on performance of condition within further time allowed under section 137
When the time prescribed by the Will
for the performance of a condition has elapsed, without the condition having
been performed, and the executor or administrator has thereupon, without fraud,
distributed the assets; in such case, if further time has been allowed under
section 137 for the performance of the condition, and the condition has been
performed accordingly, the legacy cannot be claimed from the executor or
administrator, but those to whom he has paid it are liable to refund the
amount.
Section 359 - When each legatee compellable to refund in proportion
When the executor or administrator has
paid away the assets in legacies, and he is afterwards obliged to discharge a
debt of which he had no previous notice, he is entitled to call upon each
legatee to refund in proportion.
Section 360 - Distribution of assets
Where an executor or administrator has
given such notices as the High Court may, by any general rule, prescribe or, if
no such rule has been made, as the High Court would give in an
administration-suit, for creditors and others to send in to him their claims
against the estate of the deceased, he shall, at the expiration of the time
therein named for sending in claims, be at liberty to distribute the assets, or
any part thereof in discharge of such lawful claims as he knows of, and shall
not be liable for the assets so distributed to any person of whose claim he
shall not have had notice at the time of such distribution:
Provided that nothing herein contained
shall prejudice the right of any creditor or claimant to follow the assets, or
any part thereof, in the hands of the persons who may have received the same
respectively.
Section 361 - Creditor may call upon legatee to refund
A creditor who has not received payment
of his debt may call upon a legatee who has received payment of his legacy to
refund, whether the assets of the testator's estate were or were not sufficient
at the time of his death to pay both debts and legacies; and whether the
payment of the legacy by the executor or administrator was voluntary or not.
Section 362 - When legatee, not satisfied or compelled to refund under section 361, cannot oblige one paid in full to refund
If the assets were sufficient to
satisfy all the legacies at the time of the testator's death, a legatee who has
not received payment of his legacy, or who has been compelled to refund under
section 361, cannot oblige one who has received payment in full to refund,
whether the legacy were paid to him with or without suit, although the assets
have subsequently become deficient by the wasting of the executor.
Section 363 - When unsatisfied legatee must first proceed against executor, if solvent
If the assets were not sufficient to
satisfy all the legacies at the time of the testator's death, a legatee who has
not received payment of his legacy must, before he can call on a satisfied
legatee to refund, first proceed against the executor or administrator if he is
solvent; but if the executor or administrator is insolvent or not liable to
pay, the unsatisfied legatee can oblige each satisfied legatee to refund in
proportion.
Section 364 - Limit to refunding of one legatee to another
The refunding of one legatee to another
shall not exceed the sum by which the satisfied legacy ought to have been
reduced if the estate had been properly administered.IllustrationA has
bequeathed 240 rupees to B, 480 rupees to C, and 720 rupees to D. The assets are
only 1,200 rupees and, if properly administered, would give 200 rupees to B,
400 rupees to C and 600 rupees to D. C and D have been paid their legacies in
full, leaving nothing to B. B can oblige C to refund 80 rupees, and D to refund
120 rupees.
Section 365 - Refunding to be without interest
The refunding shall in all cases be
without interest.
Section 366 - Residue after usual payments to be paid to residuary legatee
The surplus or residue of the
deceased's property, after payment of debts and legacies, shall be paid to the
residuary legatee when any has been appointed by the Will.
Section 367 - Transfer of assets from India to executor or administrator in country of domicile for distribution
Where a person not having his domicile
in [111][India]
has died leaving assets both in [112][India]
and in the country in which he had his domicile at the time of his death and
there has been a grant of probate or letters of administration in [113][India]
with respect to the assets there and a grant of administration in the country
of domicile with respect to the assets in that country, the executor or
administrator, as the case may be, in [114][India],
after having given such notices as are mentioned in section 360, and after
having discharged, at the expiration of the time therein named, such lawful
claims as he knows of, may, instead of himself distributing any surplus or
residue of the deceased's property to persons residing out of [115][India]
who are entitled thereto transfer, with the consent of the executor or
administrator, as the case may be, in the country of domicile, the surplus or
residue to him for distribution to those persons.
Section 368 - Liability of executor or administrator for devastation
When an executor or administrator
misapplies the estate of the deceased or subjects it to loss or damage, he is
liable to make good the loss or damage so occasioned.Illustrations
(i)
The
executor pays out of the estate an unfounded claim. He is liable to make good
the loss.
(ii)
The
deceased had a valuable lease renewable by notice which the executor neglects
to give at the proper time. The executor is liable to make good the loss.
(iii)
The
deceased had a lease of less value than the rent payable for it, but terminable
on notice at a particular time. The executor neglects to give the notice. He is
liable to make good the loss.
Section 369 - Liability of executor or administrator for neglect to get any part of property
(i)
When
an executor or administrator occasions a loss to the estate by neglecting to
get in any part of the property of the deceased, he is liable to make good the
amount.Illustrations
(ii) The executor
absolutely releases a debt due to the deceased from a solvent person, or
compounds with a debtor who is able to pay in full. The executor is liable to
make good the amount.
(iii)
The
executor neglects to sue for a debt till the debtor is able to plead that the
claim is barred by limitation and the debt is thereby lost to the estate. The
executor is liable to make good the amount.
Section 370 - Restriction on grant of certificates under this Part
(1) A succession
certificate (hereinafter in this Part referred to as a certificate) shall not
be granted under this Part with respect to any debt or security to which a
right is required by section 212 or section 213 to be established by letters of
administration or probate:
Provided that nothing contained in this
section shall be deemed to prevent the grant of a certificate to any person
claiming to be entitled to the effects of a deceased Indian Christian, or to
any part thereof, with respect to any debt or security, by reason that a right
thereto can be established by letters of administration under this Act.
(2)
For
the purposes of this Part, "security" means-
(a)
any
promissory note, debenture, stock or other security of the Central Govern?ment
or of a State Government;
(b)
any
bond, debenture, or annuity charged by Act of Parliament [116][of
the United Kingdom] on the revenues of India;
(c)
any
stock or debenture of, or share in, a company or other incorporated
institution;
(d)
any
debenture or other security for money issued by, or on behalf of, a local
authority;
(e)
any
other security which the [117][State
Government] may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare to be a
security for the purposes of this Part.
Section 371 - Court having jurisdiction to grant certificate
The District Judge within whose
jurisdiction the deceased ordinarily resided at the time of his death, or, if
at that time he had no fixed place of residence, the District Judge, within
whose jurisdiction any part of the property of the deceased may be found, may
grant a certificate under this Part.
Section 372 - Application for certificate
(1)
Application
for such a certificate shall be made to the District Judge by a petition signed
and verified by or on behalf of the applicant in the manner prescribed by the
Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) for the signing and verification of a
plaint by or on behalf of a plaintiff, and setting forth the following
particulars, namely:-
(a)
the
time of the death of the deceased;
(b)
the
ordinary residence of the deceased at the time of his death and, if such
residence was not within the local limits of the jurisdiction of the Judge to
whom the application is made, then the property of the deceased within those
limits;
(c)
the
family or other near relatives of the deceased and their respective residences;
(d)
the
right in which the petitioner claims;
(e)
the
absence of any impediment under section 370 or under any other provision of
this Act or any other enactment, to the grant of the certificate or to the
validity thereof if it were granted; and
(f)
the
debts and securities in respect of which the certificate is applied for.
(2)
If
the petition contains any averment which the person verifying it knows or
believes to be false, or does not believe to be true, that person shall be
deemed to have committed an offence under section 198 of the Indian Penal Code,
1860 (45 of 1860).
(3)
[118][Application for such
a certificate may be made in respect of any debt or debts due to the deceased
creditor or in respect of portions thereof]
Section 373 - Procedure on application
(1)
If
the District Judge is satisfied that there is ground for entertaining the
application, he shall fix a day for the hearing thereof and cause notice of the
application and of the day fixed for the hearing?
(a)
to
be served on any person to whom, in the opinion of the Judge, special notice of
the application should be given, and
(b)
to
be posted on some conspicuous part of the court-house and published in such
other manner, if any, as the Judge, subject to any rules made by the High Court
in this behalf, thinks fit, and upon the day fixed, or as soon thereafter as
may be practicable, shall proceed to decide in a summary manner the right to
the certificate.
(2)
When
the Judge decides the right thereto to belong to the applicant, the Judge shall
make an order for the grant of the certificate to him.
(3)
If
the Judge cannot decide the right to the certificate without determining
questions of law or fact which seem to be too intricate and difficult for
determination in a summary proceeding, he may nevertheless grant a certificate
to the applicant if he appears to be the person having prima facie the best
title thereto.
(4)
When
there are more applicants than one for a certificate, and it appears to the Judge
that more than one of such applicants are interested in the estate of the
deceased, the Judge may, in deciding to whom the certificate is to be granted,
have regard to the extent of interest and the fitness in other respects of the
applicants.
Section 374 - Contents of certificate
When the District Judge grants a
certificate, he shall therein specify the debts and securities set forth in the
application for the certificate, and may thereby empower the person to whom the
certificate is granted?
(a)
to
receive interest or dividends on, or
(b)
to
negotiate or transfer, or
(c)
both
to receive interest or dividends on, and to negotiate or transfer, the
securities or any of them.
Section 375 - Requisition of security from grantee of certificate
(1)
The
District Judge shall in any case in which he proposes to proceed under
sub-section (3) or sub-section (4) of section 373, and may, in any other case,
require, as a condition precedent to the granting of a certificate, that the
person to whom he proposes to make the grant shall give to the Judge a bond
with one or more surety or sureties, or other sufficient security, for
rendering an account of debts and securities received by him and for indemnity
of persons who may be entitled to the whole or any part of those debts and securities.
(2)
The
Judge may, on application made by petitioner and on cause shown to his
satisfaction, and upon such terms as to security, or providing that the money
received be paid into Court, or otherwise, as he thinks fit, assign the bond or
other security to some proper person, and that person shall thereupon be
entitled to sue thereon in his own name as if it had been originally given to
him instead of to the Judge of the Court, and to recover, as trustee for all
persons interested, such amount as may be recoverable thereunder.
Section 376 - Extension of certificate
(1)
A
District Judge may, on the application of the holder of a certificate under
this Part, extend the certificate to any debt or security not originally
specified therein, and every such extension shall have the same effect as if
the debt or security to which the certificate is extended had been originally
specified therein.
(2)
Upon
the extension of a certificate, powers with respect to the receiving of
interest or dividends on, or the negotiation or transfer of, any security to
which the certificate has been extended may be conferred, and a bond or further
bond or other security for the purposes mentioned in section 375 may be
required, in the same manner as upon the original grant of a certificate.
Section 377 - Forms of certificate and extended certificate
Certificates shall be granted and
extensions of certificates shall be made, as nearly as circumstances admit, in
the forms set forth in Schedule VIII.
Section 378 - Amendment of certificate in respect of powers as to securities
Where a District Judge has not
conferred on the holder of a certificate any power with respect to a security
specified in the certificate, or has only empowered him to receive interest or
dividends on, or to negotiate or transfer, the security the Judge may, on
application made by petitioner and on cause shown to his satisfaction, amend
the certificate by conferring any of the powers mentioned in section 374 or by
substituting any one for any other of those powers.
Section 379 - Mode of collecting court-fees on certificates
(1)
Every
application for a certificate or for the extension of a certificate shall be
accompanied by a deposit of a sum equal to the fee payable under the Court-Fees
Act, 1870 (7 of 1870), in respect of the certificate or extension applied for.
(2)
If
the application is allowed, the sum deposited by the applicant shall be
expended, under the direction of the Judge, in the purchase of the stamp to be
used for denoting the fee payable as aforesaid.
(3)
Any
sum received under sub-section (1) and not expended under sub-section (2) shall
be refunded to the person who deposited it.
Section 380 - Local extent of certificate
A certificate under this Part shall
have effect throughout [119][India] [120][*
* *].
[121][This section shall
apply in [122][India][123]after
the separation of Burma and Aden from India to certificates granted in Burma
and Aden before the date of the separation, or after that date in proceedings
which were pending at that date.]
[124][It shall also apply
in [125][India] [126][*
* *][127]after
the separation of Pakistan from India to certificates granted before the date
of the separation, or after that date in proceedings pending at that date in
any of the territories which on that date constituted Pakistan.]
Section 381 - Effect of certificate
Subject to the provisions of this Part,
the certificate of the District Judge shall, with respect to the debts and
securities specified therein, be conclusive as against the persons owing such
debts or liable on such securities, and shall, not?withstanding any
contravention of section 370, or other defect, afford full indemnity to all
such persons as regards all payments made, or dealings had, in good faith in
respect of such debts or securities to or with the person to whom the
certificate was granted.
Section 382 - Effect of certificate granted or extended by Indian representative in Foreign State and in certain other cases
[128][382. Effect of
certificate granted or extended by Indian representative in Foreign State and
in certain other cases
Where a certificate in the form, as
nearly as circumstances admit, of Schedule VIII-
(a)
has
been granted to a resident within a foreign State by an Indian representative
accredited to that State, or
(b)
has
been granted before the commencement of the Part B States (Laws) Act, 1951 (3
of 1951), to a resident within any Part B State by a district judge of that
State or has been extended by him in such form, or
(c)
has
been granted after the commencement of the Part B States (Laws) Act, 1951 (3 of
1951), to a resident within the State of Jammu and Kashmir by the district
judge of that State or has been extended by him in such form, the certificate
shall, when stamped in accordance with the provisions of the Court-Fees Act,
1870 (7 of 1870), with respect to certificates under this Part, have the same
effect in India as a certificate granted or extended under this Part.]
Section 383 - Revocation of certificate
A certificate granted under this Part
may be revoked for any of the following causes, namely:?
(a)
that
the proceedings to obtain the certificate were defective in substance;
(b)
that
the certificate was obtained fraudulently by the making of a false sugges?tion,
or by the concealment from the Court of something material to the case;
(c)
that
the certificate was obtained by means of an untrue allegation of a fact
essential in point of law to justify the grant thereof, though such allegation
was made in ignorance or inadvertently;
(d)
that
the certificate has become useless and inoperative through circumstances;
(e)
that
a decree or order made by a competent Court in a suit or other proceeding with
respect to effects comprising debts or securities specified in the certificate
renders it proper that the certificate should be revoked.
Section 384 - Appeal
(1)
Subject
to the other provisions of this Part, an appeal shall lie to the High Court
from an order of a District Judge granting, refusing or revoking a certificate
under this Part, and the High Court may, if it thinks fit, by its order on the
appeal, declare the person to whom the certificate should be granted and direct
the District judge, on application being made therefore, to grant it
accordingly, in super session of the certificate, if any, already granted.
(2)
An
appeal under sub-section (1) must be preferred within the time allowed for an
appeal under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of1908).
(3)
Subject
to the provisions of sub-section (1) and to the provisions as to reference to
and revision by the High Court and as to review of judgment of the Code of
Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), as applied by section 141 of that
Code, an order of a District Judge under this Part shall be final.
Section 385 - Effect on certificate of previous certificate, probate or letters of administration
Save as provided by this Act, a
certificate granted thereunder in respect of any of the effects of a deceased
person shall be invalid if there has been a previous grant of such a
certificate or of probate or letters of administration in respect of the estate
of the deceased person and if such previous grant is in force.
Section 386 - Validation of certain payments made in good faith to holder of invalid certificate
Where a certificate under this Part has
been superseded or is invalid by reason of the certificate having been revoked
under section 383,or by reason of the grant of a certificate to a person named
in an appellate order under section 384, or by reason of a certificate having
been previously granted, or for any other cause, all payments made or dealings
had, as regards debts and securities specified in the superseded or invalid
certificate, to or with the holder of that certificate in ignorance of its
super session or invalidity, shall be held good against claims under any other
certificate.
Section 387 - Effect of decisions under this Act, and liability of holder of certificate thereunder
No decision under this Part upon any
question of right between any parties shall be held to bar the trial of the
same question in any suit or in any other proceeding between the same parties,
and nothing in this Part shall be construed to affect the liability of any
person who may receive the whole or any part of any debt or security, or any
interest or dividend on any security, to account therefore to the person
lawfully entitled thereto.
Section 388 - Investiture of inferior courts with jurisdiction of District Court for purposes of this Act
(1)
The
State Government may by notification in the Official Gazette, invest any court
inferior in grade to a District Judge with power to exercise the functions of a
District Judge under this Part.
(2)
Any
inferior court so invested shall, within the local limits of its jurisdiction,
have concurrent jurisdiction with the District Judge in the exercise of all the
powers conferred by this Part upon the District Judge, and the provisions of
this Part relating to the District Judge shall apply to such an inferior court
as if it were a District Judge:
Provided that an appeal from any such
order of an inferior court as is mentioned in subsection (1) of section 384
shall lie to the District Judge, and not to the High Court, and that the
District Judge may, if he thinks fit, by his order on the appeal, make any such
declaration and direction as that sub-section authorises the High Court to make
by its order on an appeal from an order of a District Judge.
(3) An order of a
District Judge on an appeal from an order of an inferior Court under the last
foregoing sub-section shall, subject to the provisions as to reference to and
revision by the High Court and as to review of judgment of the Code of Civil
Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), as applied by Section 141 of that Code,
be final.
(4) The District Judge
may withdraw any proceedings under this Part from an inferior court, and may
either himself dispose of them or transfer them to another such court
established within the local limits of the jurisdiction of the District Judge
and having authority to dispose of the proceedings.
(5) A notification under
sub-section (1) may specify any inferior court specially or any class of such
courts in any local area.
(6)
Any
Civil Court which for any of the purposes of any enactment is subordinate to,
or subject to the control of, a District Judge shall, for the purposes of this
section, be deemed to be a court inferior in grade to a District Judge.
Section 389 - Surrender of superseded and invalid certificates
(1)
When
a certificate under this Part has been superseded or is invalid from any of the
causes mentioned in section 386, the holder thereof shall, on the requisition
of the Court which granted it, deliver it upto that court.
(2)
If
he willfully and without reasonable cause omits so to deliver it up, he shall
be punishable with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with both.
Section 390 - Provisions with respect to certificates under Bombay Regulation VIII of 1827
Notwithstanding anything in Bombay
Regulation No. VIII of 1827 the provisions of section 370, sub-section (2),
section 372, sub-section (1), clause (f), and sections 374, 375, 376, 377, 378,
379, 381, 383, 384, 387, 388 and 389 with respect to certificates under this
Part and applications therefore, and of section 317 with respect to the
exhibition of inventories and accounts by executors and administrators, shall,
so far as they can be made applicable, apply, respectively, to certificates
granted under that Regulation and applica?tions made for certificates
thereunder, after the 1st day of May, 1889 and to the exhibition of inventories
and accounts by the holders of such certificates so granted.
Section 391 - Saving
Nothing in Part VIII, Part IX or Part X
shall-
(i)
validate
any testamentary disposition which would otherwise have been invalid;
(ii)
invalidate
any such disposition which would otherwise have been valid;
(iii)
deprive
any person of any right of maintenance to which he would otherwise have been
entitled; or
(iv)
affect
the Administrator General's Act, 1913 (3 of 1913)[129].
Section 392 - Repeals
[130][***]
Schedule 1 - SCHEDULE 1
SCHEDULE
I
(See
Section 28)
TABLE
OF CONSANGUINITY
Schedule 2 - SCHEDULE 2
[131][SCHEDULE II
PART
I
[See
section 54]
(1)
Father
and mother.
(2)
Brothers
and sisters (other than half brothers and sisters) and lineal descendants of
such of them as shall have predeceased the intestate.
(3)
Paternal
and maternal grandparents.
(4)
Children
of paternal and maternal grandparents and the lineal descendants of such of
them as have predeceased the intestate.
(5)
Paternal
and maternal grandparents' parents.
(6)
Paternal
and maternal grandparents' parents' children and the lineal descendants of such
of them as have predeceased the intestate.
PART
II
[See
section 55]
(1)
Father
and mother.
(2)
Brothers
and sisters (other than half brothers and sisters) lineal descendants of such
of them as shall have predeceased the intestate.
(3)
Paternal
and maternal grandparents.
(4)
Children
of paternal and maternal grandparents and the lineal descendants of such of
them as have predeceased the intestate.
(5)
Paternal
and maternal grandparents' parents.
(6)
Paternal
and maternal [132][grandparents'
parents' children] and the lineal descendants of such of them as have
predeceased the intestate.
(7)
Half
brothers and sisters and the lineal descendants of such of them as have
predeceased the intestate.
(8)
Widows
of brothers or half brothers and widowers of sisters or half sisters.
(9)
Paternal
or maternal grandparents' children's widows or widowers.
(10)
Widows
or widowers of deceased lineal descendants of the intestate who have not
married again before death of the intestate
Schedule 3 - SCHEDULE 3
SCHEDULE
III
[See
section 57]
Provisions
Of Part Vi Applicable To Certain Wills And Codicils Described In Section 57
Sections 59, 61, 62, 63, 64, 68, 70,
71, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 95,
96, 98, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114,
115, 116,[133][117],
119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134,
135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150,
151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166,
167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182,
183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189 and 190.Restrictions and modifications in
application of foregoing sections
1.
Nothing
therein contained shall authorise a testator to bequeath property which he
could not have alienated inter vivos, or to deprive any persons of any right of
maintenance of which, but for the application of these sections, he could not
deprive them by will.
2.
Nothing
therein contained shall authorise any Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina, to create
in property any interest which he could not have created before the first day
of September, 1870.
3.
Nothing
therein contained shall affect any law of adoption or intestate, succession.
4.
In
applying section 70 the words "than by marriage or" shall be omitted.
5.
In
applying any of the following sections, namely, sections seventy-five,
seventy-six, one hundred and five, one hundred and nine, one hundred and
eleven, one hundred and twelve, one hundred and thirteen, one hundred and
fourteen, one hundred and fifteen, and one hundred and sixteen to such wills
and codicils the words "son", "sons", "child",
and "children" shall be deemed to include an adopted child; and the
word "grand-children" shall be deemed to include the children,
whether adopted or natural-born, of a child whether adopted or natural-born;
and the expression "daughter-in-law" shall be deemed to include the
wife of an adopted son.
Schedule 4 - SCHEDULE 4
SCHEDULE
IV
[See
section 274 (2)]
Form
Of Certificate
I, A.B., Registrar (or as the case may
be) of the High Court of Judicature at........ (or as the case ay be) hereby
certify that on the .......day of......... the High Court of Judicature at.....
(or as the case may be) granted probate of the will (or letters of
administration of the estate) of C.D. late of...... deceased, to E.F. of.......
and G.H. of....... and that such probate (or letters) has (or have) effect over
all the property of the deceased throughout[134][India][135][*
* *].
Schedule 5 - SCHEDULE 5
SCHEDULE
V
[See
section 284 (4)]
Form
Of Caveat
Let nothing be done in the matter of
the estate of A.B., late of...... deceased, who died on the...... day
of........ at........ without notice to C.D. of.........
Schedule 6 - SCHEDULE 6
SCHEDULE
VI
[See
section 289]
Forms
Of Probate
I,.......... Judge of the District
of......... [or Delegate appointed for granting probate or letters of
administration in (here insert the limits of the Delegate's jurisdiction)],
hereby make known that on the................... day of......in the year.......
the last will of........ late of.:........ a copy whereof is here unto annexed,
was proved and registered before me, and that administration of the property
and credits of the said deceased, and in any way concerning his will was
granted to........ the executor in the said will named, he having undertaken to
administer the same, and to make a full and true inventory of the said property
and credits and exhibit the same in this Court within six months from the date
of this grant or within such further time as the Court may, from time to time,
appoint, and also to render to this Court a true account of the said property
and credits within one year from the same date, or within such further time as
the Court may, from time to time, appoint.
Schedule 7 - SCHEDULE 7
SCHEDULE
VII
[See
section 290]
Form
Of Letters Of Administration
I,......... Judge of the District
of......... [or Delegate appointed for granting probate or letters of
administration in (here insert the limits of the Delegate's jurisdiction)],
hereby make known that on the..... day of..... letters of administration (with
or without the will annexed, as the case may be), of the property and credits of.......
late of......... deceased, were granted to....... the father (or as the case
may be) of the deceased, he having undertaken to administer the same and to
make a full and true inventory of the said property and credits and exhibit the
same in this Court, within six months from the date of this grant or within
such further time as the Court may, from time to time, appoint, and also to
render to this Court a true account of the said property and credits within one
year from the same date, or within such further time as the court may, from
time to time, appoint.
Schedule 8 - SCHEDULE 8
SCHEDULE
VIII
[See
section 377]
Forms
Of Certificate And Extended Certificate
In
the court of
To A.B.
Whereas you applied on the...... day
of...... for a certificate under Part X of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, in
respect of the following debts and securities, namely:-
Debts
Serial Number |
[136][Name of debtor] |
Amount of debts, including interest
on date of application for certificate |
Description and date of instrument,
if any, by which the debt is secured |
|
|
|
|
Securities
Serial Number |
Description |
Market-value of security on date of
application for certificate |
||
[137]Distinguishing
number or letter of security |
Name, title or class of security |
Amount or par value of security |
||
This
certificate is accordingly granted to you and empowers you to collect those
debts and to receive interest on dividends to negotiate to transfer those
securities.
Dated this ............. day of
District
Judge
In
the Court of
On the application of A.B. made to me
on the...................day of.................., I hereby extend this
certificate to the following debts and securities, namely:-
Debts
[138]Serial Number |
[139]Name of debtor |
Amount of debt, including interest,
on date of application for extension |
Description and date of instrument,
if any, by which the debt is secured |
|
|
|
|
Securities
Serial Number |
Description |
Market-value of security on date of
application for extension |
||
[140]Distinguishing
number or letter of security |
Name, title or class of security |
Amount or par value of security |
||
|
|
|
|
|
This
extension empowers A.B. to collect those debts and to receive interest on
dividends to negotiate to transfer those securities.
Dated this ............... day of
District
Judge
District
Judge
Schedule 9 - SCHEDULE 9
SCHEDULE
IX
ENACTMENTS
REPEALED
[Rep, by the Repealing Act, 1927 (12 of
1927), section 2 and Schedule]
Amending Act 1 - INDIAN SUCCESSION (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2002
THE
INDIAN SUCCESSION (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2002
[Act
No. 26 of 2002]
[27th
May, 2002]
PREAMBLE
An
Act further to amend the Indian Succession Act, 1925.
Be it enacted by Parliament in the
Fifty-third Year of the Republic of India as follows:--
1. Short title
This Act may be called the Indian
Succession (Amendment) Act, 2002.
2. Amendment of section 32
In section 32 of the Indian
Succession Act, 1925 (39 of 1925) (hereinafter referred to as the principal
Act), the Explanation shall be omitted.
3. Amendment of section 213
In section 213 of the
principal Act, in sub-section (2), after the word "Muhammadans", the
words "or Indian Christians" shall be inserted.
[1] The Act has been
extended to Berar by the Berar Laws Act, 1941 (4 of 1941) and to
Manipur by the Union Territories (Laws) Amendment Act, 1956 (68 of
1956).
[2] The words "in
the Provinces of India" omitted by the A.O. 1950.
[3] The words "in
the Provinces of India" omitted by the A.O. 1950.
[4] Inserted by Act 18 of 1929, Section 2.
[5] Inserted by Act 3 of 1951, Section 3 and Schedule.
[6] Substituted by Act 3 of 1951, Section 3 and Schedule, for the
original clause.
[7] Repealed by this Act.
[8] Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[9] Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[10] Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[11] Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[12] Substituted by Act
3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[13] Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[14] Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[15] Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[16] Substituted by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for
"the States".
[17] Substituted by the A.O. 1950, for "His Majesty's civil, military,
naval or air force service".
[18] Substituted by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for
"the States".
[19] Substituted by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for
"the States".
[20] Substituted by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for
"the States".
[21] Substituted by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for
"the States".
[22] Substituted by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for
"the States".
[23] Substituted by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for
"the States".
[24] Substituted by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for
"the States".
[25] Substituted by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for
"the States".
[26] Now Chandernagore (formerly a French settlement) is a part of India.
[27] Substituted by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for
"the States".
[28] Substituted by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for
"the States".
[29]
Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[30]
Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[31]
Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[32] Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, Section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[33] Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, Section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[34] Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[35] Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[36] Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[37] Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[38]
Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[39] Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[40]
Explanation omitted
by Act 26 of 2002, section 2.
[41] Inserted by Act
40 of 1926, Section 2.
[42] Inserted by Act
40 of 1926, Section 3.
[43] Now see
the Special Marriage Act, 1954 (43 of 1954).
[44] Substituted by Act 17 of 1939, section 2, for the original
sections 50-56 (w.e.f. 12-6-1939).
[45] ?Substituted by Act 51 of 1991,
section 2.
[46] ?Substituted by Act 51 of 1991,
section 2.
[47] Substituted by Act 51 of 1991, section 2. for the word
"she".
[48] Substituted by Act 51 of 1991, section 2. for the word
"she".
[49] Substituted by Act 51
of 1991, section 3, for sections 51 and 52.
[50]
New section 51 has
been substituted for sections 51 and 52 by Act 51 of 1991, section 3, the
previous text was:-
"52. Division of property amongst
the children of male in testate who leaves no widow
When a Parsi dies leaving children but
no widow, the property of which he dies intestate shall hedivided amongst
children, so that the share of each son shall be four times the share of each
daughter."
[51] Substituted by Act 51
of 1991, section 4.
[52] Substituted by Act 51
of 1991, section 5.
[53] Substituted by Act 51
of 1991, section 5.
[54] Section 57 was
re-numbered as sub-section (1) of that section and sub-section (2) added
by Act 37 of 1926, Section 2; subsequently sub-section (2) was omitted and
sub-section (1) was re-numbered as section 57 by Act 18 of 1929, Section
3.
[55] The word
"and" and clause (c) added by Act 18 of 1929, Section 3.
[56]
Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[57] Inserted by Act
10 of 1927, Section 2 and Schedule I.
[58] Inserted by Act
10 of 1927, Section 2 and Schedule I.
[59] Inserted by Act
10 of 1927, section 2 and Schedule I.
[60] Inserted by Act
10 of 1927, section 2 and Schedule I.
[61] Inserted by Act
10 of 1927, section 2 and Schedule I.
[62] Substituted
by Act 21 of 1929, section 14, for "wholly void".
[63] Substituted
by Act 21 of 1929, section 14, for certain original words.
[64] Substituted
by Act 21 of 1929, section 14, for certain original words.
[65] Substituted
by Act 21 of 1929, section 14, for the original section.
[66] Substituted
by Act 21 of 1929, section 14, for the original section.
[67] Added by Act 51 of
1991, section 6.
[68] Substituted
by Act 10 of 1927, section 2 and Schedule I, for "5,000".
[69] Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[70] Repealed partly
by Act 39 of 1925 and finally by Act 1 of 1938.
[71] Substituted
by Act 16 of 1962, Section 2 for " orJaina".
[72] Substituted
by Act 16 of 1962, Section 4 for " or Indian Christian" (w.e.f.
30.03.1962).
[73] Substituted by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for
"the State".
[74] Substituted by Act 16 of 1962, Section 4, for Sub-section (2).
[75] Inserted by Act 26 of 2002, Section 3.
[76] ?Substituted by Act 52 of
1964, section 3 and Schedule II., for "ordinary civil jurisdiction".
[77] Inserted by Indian Succession (Kerala Amendment) Act 1996.
[78] Now see
the Administrators General Act 1963 (45 of 1963).
[79] Repealed partly
by Act 39 of 1925, and finally by Act 1 of 1938.
[80]
Repealed partly
by Act 39 of 1925 and finally by Act 1 of 1938.
[81]
Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, Section 3 and schedule, for "the State".
[82]
Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, Section 3 and schedule, for "the State".
[83]
Added by Act 17
of 1931, Section 2. The words "nor, unless the deceased was a Hindu,
Muhammad an, Buddhist, Sikh or jaina or an exempted person, to a married woman
without the previous consent of her husband: which originally occurred at the
end of this section had been omitted by Act 18 of 1927, Section 2.
[84]
Inserted by Act
20 of 1983, Section 2 and Schedule (w.e.f. 15-3-1984).
[85] The words "G.G
in C" have been successively amended by the A.O. 1937 and the A.O. 1950 to
read as above.
[86] Substituted by the
A.O. 1950, for "His Majesty's dominions".
[87] Added by Act 17
of 1931, section 2. The words "nor, unless the deceased was a Hindu,
Muhammad an, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina or an exempted person, to a married woman
without the previous consent of her husband" which originally occurred at
the end of this section had been omitted by Act 18 of 1927, Section 2.
[88] Inserted by Act
20 of 1983, Section 2 and schedule (w.e.f. 15-3-1984).
[89]
The words "G.G.
in C" have been successively amended by the A.O. 1937 and the A.O. 1950 to
read as above.
[90] Inserted by Act
20 of 1983, Section 2 and schedule (w.e.f. 15-3-1984).
[91] The words "and
the province of Burma" omitted by the A.O. 1937.
[92] Substituted by the A.O. 1948, for "the whole of British
India".
[93] The words "of India" omitted by the A.O.1950.
[94] ?Inserted by A.O. 1937.
[95] Substituted by Act 3 of 1951, Section 3 and Schedule, for
"the States".
[96] 1st April, 1937.
[97] Added by the A. O. 1948.
[98] 1st April, 1937.
[99] The words "of India" omitted by Act 42 of 1953, section 4
and Schedule III
[100]
15th August, 1947.
[101]
Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, Section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[102]
The words "and
the province of Burma" omitted by the A.O. 1937.
[103]
Omitted by Indian
Succession (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2014(Act No. 29 of 2015).
[104]
Now see
the Administrators-General Act, 1963 (45 of 1963).
[105]
Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[106]
The words "of
India" omitted by Act 48 of 1952, section 3 and Schedule II.
[107]
Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[108]
Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[109]
Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[110]
Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[111]
Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, Section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[112]
Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, Section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[113]
Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, Section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[114]
Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, Section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[115]
Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, Section 3 and Schedule, for "the States".
[116]
Inserted by the A. O.
1950.
[117]
The words "G.G.
in C". have been successively amended by the A.O. 1937 and the A.O. 1950
to read as above.
[118]
Added by Act 14
of 1928, Section 2.
[119]
Substituted by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for
"the States".
[120]
The words "of India" omitted by the A.O. 1950.
[121]
Inserted by the A.O. 1937.
[122]
Substituted by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for
"the States".
[123]
?1st April, 1937.
[124]
Added by the A.O. 1948.
[125]
Substituted by Act 3 of 1951, section 3 and Schedule, for
"the States".
[126]
?The words "of India"
omitted by Act 48 of 1952, section 3 and Schedule II.
[127]
15th August, 1947.
[128]
Substituted
by Act 34 of 1957, Section 2 for the former section.
[129]
Now
the Administratior General Act, 1963 (45 of 1963).
[130]
Omitted by the
Repealing Act, 1927 (12 of 1927), section 2 and Schedule, the previous text
was:-
"The enactments mentioned in
Schedule IX are here by repealed to the extent specified in the third column
thereof."
[131]
Substituted by Act 51
of 1991, section 7.
[132]
Substituted
by Act 30 of 2001, Second Schedule (w.e.f. 3-9-2001).
[133]
Inserted by Act
21 of 1929, section 14.
[134]
Substituted
by Act 3 of 1951, Section 3 and schedule, for "the State".
[135]
The words "of
India" omitted by the A.O. 1950.
[136]
Substituted
by Act 48 of 1952, section 3 and Schedule II, for "Number".
[137]
Substituted
by Act 48 of 1952, section 3 and Schedule II, for "Number".
[138]
Substituted
by Act 48 of 1952, section 3 and Schedule II, for "Number".
[139]
Substituted
by Act 48 of 1952, section 3 and Schedule II, for "Number".
[140]
Substituted
by Act 48 of 1952, section 3 and Schedule II, for "Number".