Indian Succession Act 1925

THE INDIAN SUCCESSION ACT, 1925
ACT No. 39 OF 1925 1*

[30th September, 1925.]
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 2*; It is hereby enacted as follows:--
PART I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title..-This Act may be called the Indian Succession Act, 1925.
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;
3*
[(bb) "District Judge" means the Judge of a principal
Civil Court of original jurisdiction;]
(c) "executor" means a person to whom the execution of the
last will of a deceased person is, by the testator's
appointment, confided;
4*
[(cc) "India" means the territory of India excluding the
State of Jammu and Kashmir;]
(d) "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;
(e) "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;
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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).
Extended to and brought into forco in Dadra and Nagar Haveli
(w.e.f. 1.7.65) b Reg. 6 of 1963, s. 2 & Sch. I.
2 The words "in the Provinces of India" omitted by the A. O. 1950.
3 Ins. by Act 18 of 1929, s. 2.
Collected by the All India Christian Council, www.christiancouncil.in Page 1 of 123

4 Ins. by Act 3 of 1951, s. 3 and Sch.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
(f) "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;
1*
[(g) "State" includes any division of India having a Court
of the last resort;] and
(h) "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.
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 2* (10 of 1865.), under section 332 of that
Act are in this Act referred to as "exempted persons".
PART II
OF DOMICILE
4. Application of Part.-This Part shall not apply if the deceased

was a Hindu, Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina.
5. Law regulating succession to deceased person's immoveable and moveable

property, respectively. -(1) Succession to the immoveable property in 3*[India] of a
person deceased shall be regulated by the law of 3*[India], wherever such person may have
had his domicile at the time of his death.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Subs. by Act 3 of 1951, s. 3 and Sch., for the original cl.
2 Rep. by this Act.
3 Subs. by Act 3 of 1951, s. 3 and Sch., for "the States".
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Succession to the moveable 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.
Illustrations
(i) A, having his domicile in 1*[India], dies in France, leaving
moveable property in France, moveable property in England, and
property, both moveable and immoveable, in 1*[India]. The succession

to the whole is regulated by the law of 1*[India].
(ii) A, an Englishman, having his domicile in France, dies in
1*
[India], and leaves property, both moveable and immoveable, in
1*
[India]. The succession to the moveable property is regulated by the
rules which govern, in France, the succession to the moveable property
of an Englishman dying domiciled in France, and the succession to the
immoveable property is regulated by the law of 1*[India].
6. One domicile only affects succession to moveables..-A person can have only one
domicile for the purpose of the succession to his moveable property.
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.
Illustration
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.
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.
9. Continuance of domicile of origin.-The domicile of origin prevails until a new

domicile has been acquired.
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

1*
[India] merely by reason of his residing there in 2*[the civil, military, naval or air force
service of Government], or in the exercise of any profession or calling.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Subs. by the A. O. 1950, for "His Majesty's civil, military,
naval or air force service".
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Illustrations
(i) A, whose domicile of origin is in England, proceeds to
1*
[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
1*
[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
1*
in [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 1*[India].

(iv) A, whose domicile is in England, goes to reside in 1*[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 1*[India], however long the residence may last.
(v) A, having gone to reside in 1*[India] in the circumstances
mentioned in the last preceding illustration, afterwards alters his
intention, and takes up his fixed habitation in 1*[India]. A has
acquired a domicile in 1*[India].
(vi) A, whose domicile is in the French Settlement of
Chandernagore, 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
1*
[India].
(vii) A, having come to Calcutta in the circumstances stated in
the last preceding illustration, continues to reside there after 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 1*[India].
11. Special mode of acquiring domicile in India.-Any person may

acquire a domicile in 1*[India] by making and depositing in some
office in 1*[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 1*[India] for one year
immediately preceding the time of his making such declaration.
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
13. Continuance of new domicile.-A new domicile continues until

the former domicile has been resumed or another has been acquired.
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.

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.
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.
17. Minor's acquisition of new domicile.-Save as hereinbefore

otherwise provided in this Part, person cannot, during minority,
acquire a new domicile.
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.
19. Succession to moveable property in India in absence of proof of

domicile elsewhere. -If a person dies leaving moveable property in
1*
[India], in the absence of proof of any domicile elsewhere,
succession to the property is regulated by the law of 1*[India].
PART III
MARRIAGE
20. Interests and powers not acquired not 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.
21. Effect of marriage between person domiciled and one not domiciled in
India. -If a person whose domicile is in 1*[India] marries
in 1*[India] a person whose domicile is in 1*[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 1*[India] at the time of the marriage.
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 1*[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.
PART IV
OF CONSANGUINITY
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.
24. Kindred or consanguinity.-Kindred or consanguinity is the

connection or relation of persons descended from the same stock or
common ancestor.
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 direct
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 the third degree,
and so on.
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.
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.
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.
Illustrations
(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
descent 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
degrees 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.
PART V
INTESTATE SUCCESSION
CHAPTER I
Preliminary
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 1*[India] in all cases of intestacy.
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.
Illustrations
(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 leaving
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.
CHAPTER II
Rules in cases of Intestates other than Parsis
31. Chapter not to apply to Parsis.-Nothing in this Chapter shall

apply to Parsis.
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.
Explanation.--A widow is not entitled to the provision hereby
made for her if, by a valid contract made before her marriage, she has
been excluded from her distributive share of her husband's estate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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-third 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) 1*[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.

2*[33A. Special provision where intestate has left widow and no
lineal descendants.-(1) Where the intestate has left a widow but no
lineal descendants and the nett value of his property does not exceed
five thousand rupees, the whole of his property shall belong to the
widow.
(2) Where the nett 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 nett 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--
(i) any Indian Christian,
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Ins. by Act 40 of 1926, s. 2.
2 Ins. by s. 3, ibid.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(ii) any child or grandchild of any male person

who is or was at the time of his death an Indian
Christian, or
(iii) 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.), regulated by the provisions of this Act;
(b) unless the deceased dies intestate in respect of all his
property.]
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.
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.
Distribution where there are lineal descendants

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.
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.
38. Where intestate has left no child, but grandchild or grandchildren. -Where
the intestate has not left surviving him any
child but has left a grandchild or grandchildren and no more remote
descendant through a deceased grandchild, the property shall belong to
his surviving grandchild if there is one, or shall be equally divided
among all his surviving grandchildren.
Illustrations
(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 grandchild. Each of his grandchildren
will have one-ninth.
(ii) But if Henry has died, leaving no child, then the whole is
equally divided between the intestate's five grandchildren, the
children of John and Mary.
39. Where intestate has left only great-grandchildren 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.
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.
Illustrations
(i) 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.
(ii) A left no child, but left eight grandchildren, and two
children of a deceased grandchild. The property is divided into nine
parts, one of which is allotted to each grandchild, and the remaining
one-ninth is equally divided between the two great-grandchildren.
(iii) 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 grandchildren.
(iv) 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.
Distribution where there are no lineal descendants
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.
42. Where intestate's father living.-If the intestate's father is

living, he shall succeed to the property.
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.
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 takes one-fifth, the child of Mary takes one-fifth, and the
two children of George divide the remaining one-fifth equally between
them.
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 a deceased sister, Mary, and two children of a
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 them.
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.
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.
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.
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.
CHAPTER III
Special Rules for Parsi Intestates
1*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 2*[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 2*[widow or widower of any relative] of an
intestate has married again in the lifetime of the
intestate, 2*[such widow or widower shall not be
entitled to receive any share of the
property of which the intestate has died

intestate, and 2*[such widow or widower] shall be
deemed not to be existing at the intestate's death.
3*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."].
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Subs. by Act 17 of 1939, s. 2, for the original ss. 50-56 (w.e.f.
12-6-1939).
2 Subs. by Act 51 of 1991, s. 2.
3 Subs. by s. 3, ibid.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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 intestate has died in the lifetime of
the intestate, the division of the share of the property of which the
intestate has died intestate which such child would have taken if
living at the intestate'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
intestate's death:
Provided that where such deceased son has left a
widow or a widow 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 intestate has died intestate, and
in making the division of such residue the said
deceased son of the intestate 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 intestate, the share which he or
she would have taken if living at the intestate'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 intestate has
died during the lifetime of the intestate, 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.
1*[54. Division of property where intestate leaves no lineal descendant out

leaves a widow or widower or 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 intestate 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 intestate 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 widower
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 I 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, 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."]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Subs. by Act 51 of 1991, s. 4.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 1*["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 1*["each male and female standing in the
same degree of propinquity shall receive equal shares"].
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.]
PART VI
TESTAMENTARY SUCCESSION
CHAPTER I
Introductory
2*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;
3*[and
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Subs. by Act 51 of 1991, s. 5.
2 S. 57 was re-numbered as sub-section (1) of that section and sub-
section (2) added by Act 37 of 1926, s. 2; subsequently
sub-section (2) was omitted and sub-section (1) was re-numbered
as s. 57 by Act 18 of 1929, s. 3.
3 The word "and" and cl. (c) added by Act 18 of 1929, s. 3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

(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.
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 1*[India] applicable to all cases of testamentary
succession.
CHAPTER II
Of Wills and Codicils
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 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.

60. Testamentary guardian. -A father, whatever his age may be, may
by will appoint a guardian or guardians for his child during minority.
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.
Illustrations
(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.
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.
CHAPTER III
Of the Execution of unprivileged Wills
63. Execution of unprivileged wills.-Every testator, not being a

soldier employed in an expedition or engaged in actual warfare, 1*[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
acknowledgment 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.
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.
CHAPTER IV
Of privileged Wills
65. Privileged wills. -Any soldier being employed in an expedition

or engaged in actual warfare, 1*[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 section 66. Such wills are called privileged wills.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Ins. by Act 10 of 1927, s. 2 and Sch. I.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Illustrations
(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 serving 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.
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:--
(a) The will may be written wholly by the testator, with his
own hand. In such case it need not be signed or
attested.
(b) It may be written wholly or in part by another person,
and signed by the testator. In such case it need not be
attested.
(c) 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.
(d) 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(e) If the soldier, 1*[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.
(f) If the soldier, 1*[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.
(g) The soldier, 1*[airman] or mariner may make a will by
word of mouth by declaring his intentions before two
witnesses present at the same time.
(h) 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.
CHAPTER V
Of the Attestation, Revocation, Alteration and Revival of Wills
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.
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.
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
Illustrations

(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.
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 undiscernible, 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.
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.
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.
CHAPTER VI
Of the construction of Wills
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.
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 conduce to the
right application of the words which the testator has used.
Illustrations
(i) A, by his will, bequeaths 1,000 rupees to his eldest son or
to his youngest grandchild, 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.
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.
Illustrations
(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 the 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 the three
children of A". At the date of the will A has four children. Each of
these four children will, if he survives the testator, receive a
legacy of 1,000 rupees.
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.
Illustration
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.
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.
Illustrations
(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.
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.
Illustrations
(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 bighas 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 L as were in the
occupation of X shall alone pass by the bequest.
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 Sultanpur
Khurd". It turns out that he had two estates called Sultanpur Khurd.
Evidence is admissible to show which estate was intended.
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.
Illustrations
(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.
82. Meaning of 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.
Illustrations
(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".
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.
Illustrations
(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
marsh-lands 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 B is entitled only to such articles
of the testator's as are of the same nature with the articles therein
enumerated.
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.
85. No part rejected, if can be it 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.
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.

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 is to be given to it as far
as possible.
Illustration
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.
88. The last of two inconsistent clauses prevails. -Where two

clauses of gifts in a will are irreconcileable, so that they cannot
possibly stand together, the last shall prevail.
Illustrations
(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.
89. Will or bequest void for uncertainty. -A will or bequest not

expressive of any definite intention is void for uncertainty.
Illustration
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.
90. Words describing subject refer to property answering description at

testator's death. -The description contained in a will 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.
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.
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.
Illustration
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.
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" cr "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.
Illustrations
(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
debts independently of the legacy.
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.
Illustration
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 debts 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.
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.
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.
Illustrations
(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) Property 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) Property is bequeathed to A for life, and after his 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.
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.
Illustrations
(i) A bequest is made--
to A and his children,
to A and his children by his present wife,
to A and his heirs,
to A and the heirs of his body,
to A and the heirs male of his body,
to A and the heirs female of his body,
to A and his issue,

to A and his family,
to A and his descendants,
to A and his representatives,
tp A and his personal representatives,
to A, his executors and administrators.
In each of these cases, A takes the whole interest which the
testator had in the property.
(ii) A bequest is made to A and his brothers. A and his brothers
are jointly entitled to the legacy.
(iii) 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.
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.
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 "grandchildren" applies only to lineal
descendants in the second degree of the person whose
"grandchildren" 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 grandchildren
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.
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.
Illustrations
(i) A having three children, B, C and D, of whom B and C are
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.
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.
Illustrations
(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 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 leagacies,
he bequeathed to C the diamond ring which was given 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.
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.
Illustrations
(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 left, 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 bequeaths to C. B is the residuary legatee.
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.
Illustration
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.
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.
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.
Illustrations
(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 B 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.
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.
Illustration
The legacy is simply to A and B. A dies before the testator. B
takes the legacy.
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.
Illustration
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.
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.
Illustration
The testator bequeaths the 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.
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 as if the death of the legatee had happened
immediately after the death of the testator, unless a contrary
intention appears by the will.
Illustration
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.

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.
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 the testator.
Illustrations
(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 to be divided into four equal parts, one
of which is to be paid to the executor of C, one to D, one to the
administrator of E and one to F.
(iv) A bequeaths one-third of his lands 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.
CHAPTER VII
Of void Bequests
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 and such later
time, the property shall, at such later time, go to that person, or,
if he is dead, to his representatives.
Illustrations
(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.
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.

Illustrations
(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 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 her 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.
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 in existence at the expiration of that
period, and to whom, if he attains full age, the thing bequeathed is
to belong.
Illustrations
(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.
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.
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 1*[void in regard
to those persons only, and not in regard to the whole class].
Illustrations
(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, therefor, is inoperative as to any
child born after the testator's death; 2*[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].
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). 2*[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.]
3*[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.]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Subs. by Act 21 of 1929, s. 14, for "wholly void".
2 Subs. by s. 14, ibid., for certain original words.
3 Subs. by s. 14, ibid., for the original section.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Illustrations
(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.
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.
1*[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 affect 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.]
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:
2*["Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to a
Parsi."]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Subs. by Act 21 of 1929, s. 14, for the original section.
2 Added by Act 51 of 1991, s. 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Illustrations
A having a nephew makes a bequest by a will not executed and
deposited as required--
for the relief of poor people;
for the maintenance of sick soldiers;
for the erection or support of a hospital;
for the education and preferment of orphans;
for the support of scholars;
for the erection or support of a school;
for the building and repairs of a bridge;
for the making of roads;
for the erection or support of a church;
for the repairs of a church;
for the benefit of ministers of religion;
for the formation or support of a public garden;
All these bequests are void.
CHAPTER VIII
Of the vesting of Legacies
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.
Illustrations
(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.
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.
Illustrations
(i) A legacy is bequeathed to D in case 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 C survive 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 she 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 Sultanpur Khurd to B, if B shall convey
his own farm of Sultanpur Buzurg 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 fulfilment 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 of 18, 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 18 and directs that a certain sum, out of another fund, shall be
applied for his maintenance until he arrives at that age. The legacy
is contingent.
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.
Illustration

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.
CHAPTER IX
Of Onerous Bequests
122. Onerous bequests.-Where a bequest imposes an obligation on

the legatee, he can take nothing by it unless he accepts it fully.
Illustration
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).
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.
Illustration
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.
CHAPTER X
Of Contingent Bequests
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.
Illustrations
(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 be 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".
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.
Illustrations
(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.
CHAPTER XI
Of Conditional Bequests
126. Bequest upon impossible condition.-A bequest upon an

impossible condition is void.
Illustrations
(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.
127. Bequest upon illegal or immoral condition.-A bequest upon a

condition, the fulfilment of which would be contrary to law or to
morality is void.
Illustrations
(i) A bequeaths 500 rupees to B on condition that he shall murder

C. The bequest is void.
(ii) A bequeaths 5,000 rupees to his niece if she will desert her
husband. The bequest is void.
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.
Illustrations
(i) A legacy is bequeathed to A on condition that he shall marry
with the consent of 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.
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.
Illustrations
(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.
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.
Illustration
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.
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.
Illustrations
(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 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.

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.
Illustrations
(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 to 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 bequest to C takes effect.
133. Original bequest not affected by invalidity of second.-If

the ulterior bequest be not valid the original bequest is not affected
by it.
Illustrations
(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, had not had a son. The bequest over is void under section 105,
and A is entitled to the estate during his life.
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 shall not happen.
Illustrations
(i) An estate is bequeathed to A for his life, with a proviso
that, in case 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 25 without 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. B becomes a
nun in the lifetime of A. She thereby loses her contingent interest in
the fund.
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.
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.
Illustrations
(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 fulfil 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 fulfilment of the
conditions. The bequest ceases to have effect.
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-fulfilment 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.
CHAPTER XII
Of Bequests with Directions as to Application or Enjoyment

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.
Illustration
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 choses to receive the legacy in money. He is entitled to
do so.
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.
Illustrations
(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 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.
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.
Illustrations
(i) 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.
(ii) 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.

CHAPTER XIII
Of Bequests to an Executor
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.
Illustration
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.
CHAPTER XIV
Of Specific Legacies
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.
Illustrations
(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 time of my
death":
"the sum of 1,000 rupees in a certain chest":
"the debt which B owes me":
"all my bills, bonds and securities belonging to me lying in
my lodgings in Calcutta":
"all my furniture in my house in Calcutta":
"all my goods on board a certain ship now lying in the river
Hughli":
"2,000 rupees which I have in the hands of C":
"the money due to me on the bond of D":
"my mortgage on the Rampur factory":
"one-half of the money owing to me on my mortgage of Rampur
factory":
"1,000 rupees, being part of a debt due to me from C":
"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":
"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":
"all the wine which I may have in my cellar at the time of
my death":

"such of my horses as B may select":
"all my shares in the Imperial Bank of India":
"all my shares in the Imperial Bank of India which I may
possess at the time of my death":
"all the money which I have in the 5 1/2 per cent. loan of
the Central Government":
"all the Government securities I shall be entitled to at the
time of my decease."
Each of these legacies is specific.
(ii) 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.
(iii) A, having property at Benares, and also in other places,
bequeaths to B all his property at Benares. The legacy is specific.
(iv) A bequeaths to B--
his house in Calcutta:
his zamindari of Rampur:
his taluq of Ramnagar:
his lease of the indigo-factory of Salkya:
an annuity of 500 rupees out of the rents of his zamindari
of W.
A directs his zamindari of X to be sold, and the proceeds to be
invested for the benefit of B.
Each of these bequests is specific.
(v) 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.
(vi) A bequeaths a sum of money--
to buy a house in Calcutta for B:
to buy an estate in zila Faridpur for B:
to buy a diamond ring for B;
to buy a horse for B:
to be invested in shares in the Imperial Bank of India for
B:
to be invested in Government securities for B.
A bequeaths to B--
"a diamond ring":
"a horse":
"10,000 rupees worth of Government securities":
"an annuity of 500 rupees":
"2,000 rupees to be paid in cash":
"so much money as will produce 5,000 rupees four per cent.
Government securities."
These bequests are not specific.
(vii) 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.

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.
Illustration
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.
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.
Illustration
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.
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.
Illustration
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.
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.
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.
Illustrations
(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.
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.
Illustration
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.
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.
CHAPTER XV
Of Demonstrative Legacies
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.
Illustrations
(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 taluk 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.
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.
Illustration
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.
CHAPTER XVI
Of Ademption of Legacies
152. Ademption explained.-If anything 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
adeemed; that is, it cannot take effect, by reason of the subject-
matter having been withdrawn from the operation of the will.
Illustrations
"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 lifetime,--
sells or gives away the ring:
converts the chain into a cup:

converts the wool into cloth:
makes the cloth into a garment:
takes another house into which he removes all his goods.
Each of these legacies is adeemed.
(ii) A bequeaths to B--
"the sum of 1,000 rupees, in a certain chest":
"all the 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 adeemed.
(iii) 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 adeemed.
153. Non-ademption of demonstrative legacy.-A demonstrative

legacy is not adeemed 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.
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 adeemed.
Illustrations
"the debt which C owes me":
"2,000 rupees which I have in the hands of D":
"the money due to me on the bond of E":
"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 adeemed.
(ii) A bequeaths to B his interest in certain policies of his
life assurance. A in his lifetime receives the amount of the policies.
The legacy is adeemed.
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.
Illustration
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.
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.
Illustration
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.
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 extend in payment of the
demonstrative legacy, and the rest of the demonstrative legacy shall
be paid out of the general assets of the testator.
Illustration
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 1*[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.
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
adeemed.
Illustration
A bequeaths to B--
"my capital stock of 1,000 l. 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 adeemed.
Ademption pro tanto where stock, specifically bequeathed, exists in
part only at testator's death.
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 adeemed so far as regards that part of the stock which
has ceased to exist.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Subs. by Act 10 of 1927, s. 2 and Sch. I, for "5,000".
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Illustration
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 adeemed.
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 adeemed 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.
Illustrations
(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 adeemed.
161. When removal of thing bequeathed does not constitute

ademption.-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.
Illustrations
(i) 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.
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 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 adeemed.
Illustration
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 adeemed.
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 adeemed
by reason of such change.
Illustrations
(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 l. invested in Consols in
the names of trustees for A. The sum of 2,000 l. 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 Consols by virtue of an authority contained in
the settlement.
No one of these legacies has been adeemed.
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 adeemed.
Illustration
A bequeaths to B "all my 3 per cent. Consols". The Consols are,
without A's knowledge, sold by his agent, and the proceeds converted
into East India Stock. This legacy is not adeemed.
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 is replaced accordingly, the legacy is not adeemed.
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 adeemed.
CHAPTER XVII
Of the Payment of Liabilities in respect of the Subject of a Bequest
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.
Illustrations
(i) 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 executors, if the state of the testator's assets
will allow them, to allow B to redeem the ring.
(ii) 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.
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.
Illustrations
(i) A, 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.
169. Exoneration of legatee's immoveable property for which land-

revenue or rent payable periodically.-Where there is a bequest of any
interest in immovable 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.
Illustration
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.
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.
Illustrations
(i) A bequeaths to B his shares 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 of ten shares in a railway company. At a
meeting held during his lifetime a call is made of fifty rupees per
share, payable by three instalments. 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 instalment, and without having
paid the first instalment. A's estate must pay the first instalment,
and B, if he accepts the legacy, must pay the remaining instalments.
CHAPTER XVIII
Of Bequests of Things described in General Terms
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.
Illustrations
(i) 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.
(ii) A bequeaths to B "my pair of carriage-horses". A had no
carriage-horses at the time of his death. The legacy fails.
CHAPTER XIX
Of Bequests of the Interest or Produce of a Fund
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.
Illustrations
(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.
CHAPTER XX
Of Bequests of Annuities
173. Annuity created by will payable for life only unless

contrary intention appears by 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.
Illustrations
(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.
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.
Illustrations
(i) 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.
(ii) 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.
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.
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 is paid to the residuary legatee, and, if
necessary, the capital of the testator's estate shall be applied for
that purpose.
CHAPTER XXI
Of Legacies to Creditors and Portioners
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.
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.
Illustration
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.
179. No ademption by subsequent provision for legatee.-No bequest

shall be wholly or partially adeemed by a subsequent provision made by
settlement or otherwise for the legatee.
Illustrations
(i) 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 adeemed.
(ii) 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.
CHAPTER XXII
Of Election
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 benefits which may have been provided for
him by the will.
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.
182. Testator's belief as to his ownership immaterial.-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.
Illustrations
(i) The farm of Sultanpur was the property of C. A bequeathed it
to B, giving a legacy of 1,000 rupees to C. C has elected to retain
his farm of Sultanpur, which is worth 800 rupees. C forfeits his
legacy of 1,000 rupees, of which 800 rupees goes to B, and the
remaining 200 rupees falls into the residuary bequest, or devolves
according to the rules of intestate succession, as the case may be.
(ii) A bequeaths an estate to B in case B's elder brother (who is
married and has children) shall leave no issue living at his death. A
also bequeaths to C a jewel, which belongs to B. B must elect to give
up the jewel or to lose the estate.
(iii) A bequeaths to B 1,000 rupees, and to C an estate which
will, under a settlement, belong to B if his elder brother (who is
married and has children) shall leave no issue living at his death. B

must elect to give up the estate or to lose the legacy.
(iv) A, a person of the age of 18, domiciled in 1*[India] but
owning real property in England, to which C is heir at law, bequeaths
a legacy to C and, subject thereto, devises and bequeaths to B "all my
property whatsoever and wheresoever," and dies under 21. The real
property in England does not pass by the will. C may claim his legacy
without giving up the real property in England.
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.
Illustration
The farm of Sultanpur Khurd being the property of B, A bequeathed
it to C: and bequeathed another farm called Sultanpur Buzurg to his
own executors with a direction that it should be sold and the proceeds
applied in payment of B's debts. B must elect whether he will abide by
the will, or keep his farm of Sultanpur Khurd in opposition to it.
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.
Illustration
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 of the testator and before the death of C. In his
individual character he retains the lands of Sultanpur in opposition
to the will.
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.
Illustration
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 an 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
Illustration
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.
187. When acceptance of benefit given by will constitutes

election to take under will.-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.
Illustrations
(i) A is owner of an estate called Sultanpur Khurd, and has a
life interest in another estate called Sultanpur Buzurg to which upon
his death his son B will be absolutely entitled. The will of A gives
the estate of Sultanpur Khurd to B, and the estate of Sultanpur Buzurg
to C. B, in ignorance of his own right to the estate of Sultanpur
Buzurg, allows C to take possession of it, and enters into possession
of the estate of Sultanpur Khurd. B has not confirmed the bequest of
Sultanpur Buzurg to C.
(ii) 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.
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.

Illustration
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.
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.
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.
CHAPTER XXIII
Of Gifts in Contemplation of Death
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.
Illustrations
(i) A, being ill, and in expectation of death, delivers to B, to
be retained by him in case of A's death,--
a watch:
a bond granted by C to A:
a bank-note:
a promissory note of the Central Government endorseed in
blank:
a bill of exchange endorsed in blank:
certain mortgage-deeds.
A dies of the illness during which he delivered these articles.
B is entitled to--
the watch:
the debt secured by C's bond:
the bank-note:
the promissory note of the Central Government:
the bill of exchange:
the money secured by the mortagage-deeds.
(ii) 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.
(iii) A, being ill, and in expectation of death, puts aside
certain articles in separate parcels 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.
Person claiming right by succession to property of deceased may apply
for relief against wrongful possession.
PART VII
PROTECTION OF PROPERTY OF DECEASED
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 1*, (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.
Payment of debts, etc., to curator.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Rep. partly by Act 39 of 1925, and finally by Act 1 of 1938.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Payment of debts, etc., to curator.-All person 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.

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 despatch, 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.
Report from Collector where estate includes revenue-paying land.
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 property 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.
200. Institution and defence of suits.-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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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 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.
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.
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.
PART VIII
REPRESENTATIVE TITLE TO PROPERTY OF DECEASED ON SUCCESSION
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.
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, Sikh,
1*[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.
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, Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh, Jaina, 2*[Indian Christian or
Parsi].
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 3*[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.
4*[(2) This section shall not apply in the case of wills made by
Muhammadans, and shall only apply--
(i) 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
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Subs. by Act 16 of 1962, s. 2, for "or Jaina".
2 Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for "or Indian Christian".
4 Subs. by Act 16 of 1962, s. 4, for sub-section (2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(ii) 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 1*[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 immovable property
situate within those limits.]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Subs. by Act 52 of 1964, s. 3 and Sch. II, for "ordinary civil
jurisdiction".
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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--
(i) a probate or letters of administration evidencing the
grant to him of administration to the estate of the

deceased, or
(ii) a certificate granted under section 31 or section 32 of
the Administrator General's Act, 1913, (3 of 1913.) and
having the debt mentioned therein, or
(iii) a succession certificate granted under Part X and
having the debt specified therein, or
(iv) a certificate granted under the Succession Certificate
Act, 1889 1*, (7 of 1889.) or
(v) 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.
215. Effection 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, 18891* (7 of 1889), 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:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Rep. partly by Act 39 of 1925, and finally by Act 1 of 1938.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Provided that, when any certificate is superseded under this

section, all payments made to the holder of such certificate in
ignorance of such supersession shall be held good against claims under
the probate or letters of administration.
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.
PART IX
PROBATE, LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF ASSETS
OF DECEASED
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.
CHAPTER I
Of Grant of Probate and Letters of Administration
218. To whom administration may be granted, where deceased is a

Hindu, Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh, Jaina or exempted person.-(1) If
the deceased has died intestate and was a Hindu, Muhammadan, Buddhist,
Sikh or Jaina 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.
219. Where deceased is not a Hindu, Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh,

Jaina 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.
Illustrations
(i) 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.
(ii) The widow has married again since the decease of her
husband. This is not good cause for her exclusion.
(b) 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.
(c) 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 be beneficially
entitled to the estate according to the rules for the
distribution of an intestate'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.
(d) Those who stand in equal degree of kindred to the
deceased are equally entitled to administration.
(e) 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.
(f) 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.
(g) Where the deceased has left property in 1*[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
testate and intestate succession differs from the law
of 1*[India].
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.
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 intestate's
estate.
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.
Illustrations
(i) A wills that C be his executor if B will not. B is appointed
executor by implication.
(ii) 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.
(iii) 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.
223. Persons to whom probate cannot be granted.-Probate cannot be

granted to any person who is a minor or is of unsound mind 2*[nor to
any association of individuals unless it is a company which satisfies
the conditions prescribed by rules to be made 4*[, by notification in
the Official Gazette] by the 3*[State Government] in this behalf].

---------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Added by Act 17 of 1931, s. 2. The words "nor, unless the
deceased was a Hindu, Muhammadan, 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, s. 2.
3 The words "G. G. in C." have been successively amended by the A.
O. 1937 and the A. O. 1950 to read as above.
4 Ins. by Act 20 of 1983, s. 2 & Sch. (w.e.f. 15-3-1984).
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
Illustration
A is an executor of B's will by express appointment and C an
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.
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.
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.
227. Effect of probate.-Probate of a will when granted

established the will from the death of the testator, and renders valid
all intermediate acts of the executor as such.
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 1*[India], and a
properly authenticated copy of the will is produced, letters of
administration may be granted with a copy of such copy annexed.
229. Grant of administration where executor has not renounced.-

When a person appointed an executor has not renounced the
executorship, 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 executorship :

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.
230. Form and effect of renunciation of executor-ship.-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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Subs. by the A. O. 1950 for "His Majesty's dominions".
---------------------------------------------------------------------
231. Procedure where executor renounces or fails to accept within

time limited.-If an executor renounces or fails to accept an
executorship 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.
232. Grant of administration to 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,
an 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.
233. Right to administration of representative of deceased

residuary legatee.-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.
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.
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.
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, 1*[nor to any association of individuals unless it is a
company which satisfies the conditions prescribed by rules to be made
2*[", by notification in the Official Gazette,"] by the 3*[State
Government] in this behalf].
2*[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."].
CHAPTER II
Of Limited Grants
Grants limited in duration
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.
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.
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.
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.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Added by Act 17 of 1931, s. 2. The words "nor, unless the
deceased was a Hindu, Muhammadan, 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, s. 2.
2 Ins. by Act 20 of 1983, S. 2 & Sch. (w.e.f. 15-3-84).
3 The words "G. G. in C." have been successively amended by the A.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Grants for the use and benefit of others having right
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 intestates' 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.
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.
Grants for special purposes
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 administrator.
(2) In every such case letters of administration may be limited
or not as the Court thinks fit.
Grants with exception
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.
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.
Grants of the rest

257. 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.
Grant of effects unadministered
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.
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.
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.
CHAPTER III
Alteration and Revocation of Grants
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.
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.
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 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 wilfully 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.
Illustrations
(i) The Court by which the grant was made had no jurisdiction.
(ii) The grant was made without citing parties who ought to have
been cited.
(iii) The will of which probate was obtained was forged or
revoked.
(iv) 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.
(v) A has taken administration to the estate of B as if he had
died intestate, but a will has since been discovered.
(vi) Since probate was granted, a later will has been discovered.
(vii) Since probate was granted, a codicil has been discovered
which revokes or adds to the appointment of executors under the will.
(viii) The person to whom probate was, or letters of
administration were, granted has subsequently become of unsound mind.
CHAPTER IV
Of the Practice in granting and revoking Probates and
Letters of Administration
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, 1* shall, where the deceased is a Hindu, Muhammadan, 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.
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 district 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".
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.
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, 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 The words "and the province of Burma" omitted by the A. O. 1937.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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.)
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,
Muhammadan, 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.
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.
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.
272. Probate and letters of administration may be granted by

Delegate.-Probate and letters of administration may, upon application
for that purpose to 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.
273. Conclusiveness of probate or letters of administration.-

Probate or letters of administration shall have effect over all 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 1*[the other States 2*].
3*[The proviso to this section shall apply in 4*[India] 5* 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.]
6*[The proviso shall also apply in 4*[India] 7* 8* 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.]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Subs. by the A.O. 1948 for "the whole of British India".
2 The words "of India" omitted by the A.O. 1950.
3 Ins. by the A.O. 1937.
5 1st April, 1937.
6 Added by the A.O. 1948.
7 The words "of India" omitted by Act 42 of 1953, s. 4 and Sch.
III.
8 15th August, 1947.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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:--
(a) when the grant has been made by a High Court, to each of
the other High Courts;
(b) 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.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.

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.
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
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.
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.".
278. Petition for letters of administration.-(1) Application for

letters of administration shall be made by petition distinctly written
as aforesaid and stating--
(a) the time and place of the destator'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
abode, or had some property, situate within the
jurisdiction of the Judge; and
(f) when the application is to a District Delegate, that the
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.
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 1*[India], shall state in his petition, 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.
280. Petition for probate, etc., to be signed and verified.-The

petition for probate or letters of administration shall in all cases
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.".

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
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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. (45 of 1860.)
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 in 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.
284. Caveats against grant of probate or administration.-(1)

Caveats against the grant of probate or administration may be lodged
with the 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 a 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.
Form of caveat.
(4) The caveat shall be made as nearly as circumstances admit in
the form set forth in Schedule V.
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.
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.
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.
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 purposes 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.
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.
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.
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 a Hindu, Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh or
Jaina or an exempted person--
(a) the exception made by sub-section (1) in respect of a
grant under section 241 shall not operate.
(b) the District Judge may demand a like bond from any
person to whom probate is granted.
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.
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 intestate's death.
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.

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.
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 wilfully 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.
297. Payment to executor or administrator before probate or

administration revoked.-When a grant of probate or letters of
administration is revoked, all payments bona fide 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 after wards be granted might have lawfully made.
298. Power to refuse letters of administration.-Notwithstanding

anything hereinbefore contained, it shall, where the deceased was a
Muhammadan, 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.
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.
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 1* shall, where the deceased is a Hindu, Muhammadan, 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.
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.
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.
CHAPTER V
Of Executors of their own Wrong
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 The words "and the province of Burma" omitted by the A. O. 1937.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
Illustrations
(i) 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.
(ii) 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 of his own
wrong in respect of acts done after he has become aware of the death
of the deceased.
(iii) A sues as executor of the deceased, not being such. He is
an executor of his own wrong.

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.
CHAPTER VI
Of the Powers of an Executor or Administrator
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 has
when living.
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, (45 of 1860.) or other personal 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.
Illustrations
(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.
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.
Illustrations
(i) 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 bale is valid.
(ii) The executor in the exercise of his discretion mortgages a
part of the immoveable estate of the deceased. The mortgage is valid.
(2) If the deceased was Hindu, Muhammadan, 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:--

(i) The power of an executor to dispose of immoveable
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 immoveable property specified in the
order in a manner permitted by the order.
(ii) An administrator may not, without the previous
permission of the Court by which the letters of
administration were granted,--
(a) mortgage, charge or transfer by sale,
gift, exchange or otherwise any immoveable
property for the time being vested in him under
section 211, or
(b) lease any such property for a term
exceeding five years.
(iii) 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.
(3) 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.
(4) 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, not
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.
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.
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).

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.
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.
Illustrations
(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
moveable or immoveable.
(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.
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.
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.
314. Powers of administrator during minority.-An administrator

during minority has all the powers of an ordinary administrator.
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.
CHAPTER VII
Of the Duties of an Executor or Administrator
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.

317. Inventory and account.-(1) An executor or administrator
shall, within six months from the grant of 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 (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.
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 1*[India]
2*, the executor or administrator shall include in the inventory of
the effects of the deceased all his moveable and immoveable property
situate in 1*[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 1*[India].
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.
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.
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.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
2 The words "of India" omitted by Act 48 of 1952, s. 3 and Sch. II.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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, artizan or domestic
servant shall next be paid, and then the other debts of the deceased
according to their respective priorities (if any).
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.
324. Application of moveable property to payment of debts where

domicile not in India.-(1) If the domicile of the deceased was not in
1*[India], the application of his moveable property to the payment of
his debts is to be regulated by the law of 1*[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 immoveable 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,
Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina or an exempted person.
Illustration
A dies, having his domicile in a country where instruments under
seal have priority over instruments not under seal leaving moveable
property to the value of 5,000 rupees, and immoveable 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 immoveable 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.
325. Debts to be paid before legacies.-Debts of every description

must be paid before any legacy.
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.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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.
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.
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.
Illustration
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 this sum rupees 333-5-4 are to be paid to B,
and rupees 666-10-8 to C.
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.
CHAPTER VIII
Of Assent to a Legacy by Executor or Administrator
332. Assent necessary to complete legatee's title.-The assent of

the executor or administrator is necessary to complete a legatee's

title to his legacy.
Illustrations
(i) 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.
(ii) 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.
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.
Illustrations
(i) 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.
(ii) 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.
(iii) 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.
(iv) Executors die after paying all the debts of the testator,
but before satisfaction of specific legacies. Assent to the legacies
may be presumed.
(v) 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.
334. Conditional assent.-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
(i) 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.
(ii) 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.
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
property he does any act which is referable to his character of
legatee and is not referable to his character of executor or
administrator.
Illustration
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.
336. Effect of executor's assent.-The assent of the executor or

administrator to a legacy gives effect to it from the death of the
testator.
Illustrations
(i) 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.
(ii) 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.
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.
Illustration
A 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.
CHAPTER IX
Of the Payment and Apportionment of Annuities
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.
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.
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.
CHAPTER X
Of the Investment of Funds to provide for Legacies
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.
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.
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.
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.
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,
Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina or an exempted person.
346. Investment of residue bequeathed for life, with direction to

invest in specified securities.-When 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.
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, Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina or an exempted person.
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.
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 lambs 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 per cent. Government
promissory notes to A when he shall complete the age of 18. A, if he
completes that age, is entitled to receive the notes, but the interest
which accuse in respect of them between the testator's death and A's
completing 18, form part of the residue.
CHAPTER XI
Of the Produce and Interest of Legacies
350. Residuary legatee's title to produce of residuary fund.-The

legatee under a general 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.
Illustrations
(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 the residue. The income which has accrued in respect of it
since the testator's death goes as undisposed of.
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 beings 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.
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.
353. Rate of interest.-The rate of interest shall be four per

cent. per annum in all cases except when the testator was a Hindu,
Muhammadan, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina or an exempted person, in which
case it shall be six per cent. per annum.
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.
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.
CHAPTER XII
Of the Refunding of Legacies
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Illustration
A 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.
365. Refunding to be without interest.-The refunding shall in all

cases be without interest.
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.
367. Transfer of assets from India to executor or administrator

in country of domicile for distribution.-Where a person not having his
domicile in 1*[India] has died leaving assets both in 1*[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
1*[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 1*[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 1*[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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER XIII
Of the Liability of an Executor or Administrator for Devastation
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.
369. Liability of executor or administrator for neglect to get

any part of property.-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
(i) 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.
(ii) 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.
PART X
SUCCESSION CERTIFICATES
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 Government or of a State Government;
(b) any bond, debenture, or annuity charged by Act of
Parliament 1*[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 2*[State Government] may,
by notification in the Official Gazette, declare to be
a security for the purposes of this Part.
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 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.
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;
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Ins. by the A. O. 1950.
2 The words "G.-G.-in-C." have been successively amended by the A.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(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. (45 of 1860.)
1*[(3) 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.]
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Added by Act 14 of 1928, s. 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(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.
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.
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 petition 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.
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.
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.
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 petition 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.
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.
380. Local extent of certificate.-A certificate under this Part

shall have effect throughout 1*[India] 2*.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2 The words "of India" omitted by the A. O. 1950.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1*[This section shall apply in 2*[India] 3* 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.]
4*[It shall also apply in 2*[India] 5* 6* 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.]
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,
notwithstanding 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.
Effect of certificate granted or extended by Indian representative in
foreign State and in certain other cases.
7*[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, 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.]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Ins. by the A. O. 1937.
3 1st April, 1937.
4 Added by the A. O. 1948.
5 The words "of India" omitted by Act 48 of 1952, s. 3 and Sch. II.
6 15th August, 1947.
7 Subs. by Act 34 of 1957, s. 2, for the former 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 suggestion, 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.
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 therefor, to grant it
accordingly, in supersession 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
of 1908).
(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.
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.
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 supersession or
invalidity, shall be held good against claims under any other
certificate.
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 therefor to the person lawfully entitled thereto.
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 sub-section (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.
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 up to that
Court.
(2) If he wilfully 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.
390. Provisions with respect to certificates under Bombay

Regulation 8 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 therefor, 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 applications 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.
PART XI
MISCELLANEOUS
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.)
392. Repeals.-[Repeals.] Rep. by the Repealing Act, 1927 (12 of

1927), s. 2 and Sch.
SCHEDULE I
(See section 28.)
TABLE OF CONSANGUINITY
Great
Grandfather's
Father.
4
Great Great
Grandfather. Great Uncle.
3 5
Grandfather. Great Uncle.

2 4
Father. Uncle. Great Uncle's

son.
1 3 5
THE PERSON
WHOSE
RELATIVES Brother. Cousin- Second
ARE TO BE german. Cousin.
RECKONED.
2 4 6
Son of the
Son. Nephew. Cousin-
german.
1 3 5
Son of the
Nephew Grandson of
Grandson. or the Cousin-
Brother's german.
Grandson.
2
Great
Grandson.
1*[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)
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

(5) Paternal and maternal grandparents' parents.
(6) Paternal and maternal grandparents' children and the lineal

(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 the death of the
intestate.]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Subs. by Act 51 of 1991, s. 7
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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,
1*[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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Ins. by Act 21 of 1929, s. 14.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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 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 may 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, decreased, 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 1*[India] 2*.
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
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2 The words "of India" omitted by the A. O. 1950.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE VI
(See section 289.)
FORM 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 hereunto 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 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 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount of debt, Description and date of
Serial 1*[Name] of including interest, on instrument, if any, by
Number debtor date of application for which the debt is
certificate secured
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities
----------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
-------------------------------
Serial Market-value of security
Number Distinguish- Name, title Amount or on date of application
ing number or class of par value for certificate
or letter of security of security
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This certificate is accordingly granted to you and empowers you
to collect those debts [and] [to receive] [interest] [dividends] [on]
[to negotiate] [to transfer] [those securities].
Dated this day of

District Judge.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Subs. by Act 48 of 1952, s. 3 and Sch. II, for "Number".
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount of debt, Description and date of
Serial Name of including interest, on instrument, if any, by
Number debtor date of application for which the debt is
certificate secured
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities
----------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------
Serial Market-value of security
Number Distinguish- Name, title Amount or on date of application
ing number or class of par value for certificate
or letter of security of security
----------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This extension empowers A. B. to collect those debts [and] [to
receive] [interest] [dividends] [on] [to negotiate] [to transfer]
[those securities].
Dated this day of

District Judge.
SCHEDULE IX.--[Enactments Repealed.] Rep. by the Repealing Act,

1927 (12 of 1927), s. 2 and Sch.
Source: http://indiacode.nic.in/fullact1.asp?tfnm=192539
Download date: July 20, 2006

Indian Succession Act 1925

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Indian Succession Act 1925

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Indian Succession Act 1925

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

THE INDIAN SUCCESSION ACT, 1925

ACT No. 39 OF 1925 1*

WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate the law applicable to intestate and testamentary

2. Definitions.- In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or

Collected by the All India Christian Council, www.christiancouncil.in Page 1 of 123

(f) "probate" means the copy of a will certified under the

4. Application of Part.-This Part shall not apply if the deceased

5. Law regulating succession to deceased person's immoveable and moveable

Collected by the All India Christian Council, www.christiancouncil.in Page 2 of 123

7. Domicile of origin of person of legitimate birth.-The domicile of origin of every

8. Domicile of origin of illegitimate child.-The domicile of origin of an illegitimate

9. Continuance of domicile of origin.-The domicile of origin prevails until a new

Explanation.--A man is not to be deemed to have taken up his fixed habitation in

Collected by the All India Christian Council, www.christiancouncil.in Page 3 of 123

11. Special mode of acquiring domicile in India.-Any person may

12. Domicile not acquired by residence as representative of foreign

13. Continuance of new domicile.-A new domicile continues until

14. Minor's domicile. -The domicile of a minor follows the

Collected by the All India Christian Council, www.christiancouncil.in Page 4 of 123

16. Wife's domicile during marriage.-A wife's domicile during her

17. Minor's acquisition of new domicile.-Save as hereinbefore

18. Lunatic's acquisition of new domicile. -An insane person

19. Succession to moveable property in India in absence of proof of

20. Interests and powers not acquired not lost by marriage.-(1)

(2) This section--

Collected by the All India Christian Council, www.christiancouncil.in Page 5 of 123

22. Settlement of minor's property in contemplation of marriage. -

23. Application of Part. -Nothing in this Part shall apply to any

24. Kindred or consanguinity.-Kindred or consanguinity is the

25. Lineal consanguinity. -(1) Lineal consanguinity is that which

(2) Every generation constitutes a degree, either ascending or

26. Collateral consanguinity.-(1) Collateral consanguinity is

Collected by the All India Christian Council, www.christiancouncil.in Page 6 of 123

27. Persons held for purpose of succession to be similarly related to

28. Mode of computing of degrees of kindred. -Degrees of kindred

30. As to what property deceased considered to have died intestate. -A person is

Collected by the All India Christian Council, www.christiancouncil.in Page 7 of 123

(iii) A has bequeathed his whole property for an illegal purpose.

31. Chapter not to apply to Parsis.-Nothing in this Chapter shall

32. Devolution of such property.-The property of an intestate

Collected by the All India Christian Council, www.christiancouncil.in Page 8 of 123

(ii) any child or grandchild of any male person

Collected by the All India Christian Council, www.christiancouncil.in Page 9 of 123

39. Where intestate has left only great-grandchildren or remoter lineal

Collected by the All India Christian Council, www.christiancouncil.in Page 10 of 123

42. Where intestate's father living.-If the intestate's father is

Collected by the All India Christian Council, www.christiancouncil.in Page 11 of 123

Collected by the All India Christian Council, www.christiancouncil.in Page 12 of 123

49. Children's advancements not brought into hotchpot. -Where a

1*50. General principles relating to intestate succession.-For

Collected by the All India Christian Council, www.christiancouncil.in Page 13 of 123

3*51. Division of intestate's property among widow, widower, children and

53. Division of share of predeceased child of intestate leaving lineal

Collected by the All India Christian Council, www.christiancouncil.in Page 14 of 123

1*[54. Division of property where intestate leaves no lineal descendant out

Collected by the All India Christian Council, www.christiancouncil.in Page 15 of 123

56. Division of property where there is no relative entitled to succeed

2*57. Application of certain provisions of Part to a class of wills made by

Collected by the All India Christian Council, www.christiancouncil.in Page 16 of 123

58. General application of Part. -(1) The provisions of this Part