Contact Information AUTHOR'S NAME : SHARAD JOSHI AUTHOR'S ADDRESS College address: GUJARAT NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY E-4,GIDC

Electronics Estate,

Sector 26, Gandhinagar - 382 028 Gujarat, India. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Phone number: +919427359120 Email address:sharadjoshi1406@gmail.com, sharadjoshi1406@legalserviceindia.com Date of birth : Education: 06 JUNE 1988 III year student B.A LL.B (Hons.) Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar. ARTICLE TITLE:DISQUALIFICATION TO SUCESSION UNDER HINDU SUCEESION ACT (FAMILY LAW)

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Electronic copy available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1113248

ABSTRACT Familylawisanareaofthelawthatdealswithfamilyrelatedissuesanddomestic relationsincluding,butnotlimitedto:

thenatureofmarriage,civilunionsand domesticpartnership issuesarisingduringmarriage,includingspouse abuse,legitimacy,adoption,surrogacy,child abuse,andchildabduction theterminationoftherelationshipandancillary mattersincludingdivorce,annulment,property settlements,alimony,andparentalresponsiblity orders.

Familylawisthebroadterm.Thescopeoffamilylawissubjectiveinnature.There aredifferentbranchesoffamilylawThemostimportantpartunderfamilylawis HinduSuccessionAct1956.InthisarticleImainlyfocusedonlawsrelatedto disqualificationUnderHinduSuccessionAct1956,whatoldHindulawandModern Hindulawssaysaboutdisqualificationthis,Therearecertainlawsrelatedto disqualificationlawlikeCertainwidowsremarryingmaynotinheritaswidows:, murdererdisqualified,convertsdecedentsdisqualified,successionwhenheir disqualified.Thereisoneexceptiontodisqualificationinwhichpersonshallnotbe disqualifiedwhenDisease,defect,etc.nottodisqualifythisarticleIhavediscussed scope,applicabilityofallthesectionrelatedtodisqualificationtosuccession.Iwent throughvariouscaselaws,legislativeactswhichhelpedmethroughout.After completionofmyresearchworkIhavegivensomesuggestionsfordisqualification tosuccessionlikestepmothershouldbedisqualifiedundersection24ofHindu SuccessionAct,1956.Unsuccessfulattempttomurdershouldalsobeincludedinthe ambitofS.25,Unchastityofawidowshouldalsobeagroundof disqualification,Offenseslikerape&tortureshouldalsobeagroundfor disqualificationbythisIhaveconcludedmyresearchwork.InthisResearchworkI havetriedtofulfillalltheloopholesofdisqualificationtosuccession.

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Electronic copy available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1113248

DISQUALIFICATION TO SUCCESSION UNDER HINDU SUCCESSION ACT 1956 Introduction Lawsaresocialdigester'sandseldomaretheyneutral.TheyhaveMasculineflavor especiallywithreferencetofamilylaws.Makingoflaws,administeringthelawsor resolutionofdisputesarisingoutofimplementationoflawsaretotallyconsideredof male bastion and equitable gestures, if any, towards women came out of mens sympathies for womens problems. The principle of equality is equated with samenesstreatmentinaninherentlyunequalsociety. The Hindu succession act 1956 came with the objective of providing a comprehensiveanduniformschemeofintestatesuccessionforHindus. AsIhaveresearchedontheDisqualificationunderthistopic,AccordingtoHindu law, the inheritance rights of person were not absolute. Despite the nearness of relationship,apersoncouldstillbedisqualifiedfrominheritingpropertyonaccount ofhiscertainphysicalormentalinfirmities,oraspecificconduct.thisexclusionfrom inheritancewasnotmerelyonreligiousgrounds,anincapabilitytoperformreligious rites,butdependeduponsocialandmoralgroundsandbodilydefectsaswell.Asheir undertheclassicallaw,couldbeexcludedfrominheritanceonthefollowinggrounds. 1.Mentalinfirmities 2.Physicaldefects 3.Diseases 4.Conduct My researchismainly focusedonthelaw enforcementof Hindusuccession act, 2005, laws related to Murderer in context of disqualification, Consequence of disqualificationandunderwhichcircumstancespersonshallnotbebedisqualified fromsucceedingtoanyproperty.
1 OldHinduLaw

UnderoldHinduLawtheinheritancerightsofapersonwerenotabsolute andtherewereseveraldisqualificationsbasedonmentalinfirmities,physicaldefects, diseasesandconduct.Despitethenearnessofrelationship,apersoncouldstillbe

1

Dr.DiwanParas,ModernHinduLaw,(2005),Ed.7th,Edition.

disqualified from inheriting property on account any of the above mentioned disqualifications. This exclusion from inheritance was not mere on religious grounds,2viz,anincapabilitytoperformreligiousrites,butdependeduponsocialand moralgroundsandbodilydefectsaswell.
3 ModernHinduLaw

ThelawrelatingtosuccessionforHindusisgovernedbyHinduSuccessionAct, 1956.UnderthisActSections24to28dealwithdisqualificationsofheirs.Section28 laysdownthatnopersonshallbedisqualifiedfromsucceedingtoanypropertyon anygroundexceptthoseexpresslymentionedintheActandtheyareasfollows:

1.

In case of remarriage by certain widows mentionedunderS.244

2. IncaseofmurderfallingunderS.25 3. Incaseofconversiontoanotherreligionasper S.26 LawsofDisqualifications. Section24.Certainwidowsremarryingmaynotinheritaswidows:Anyheirwhois related to an intestate as the widow of a predeceasedson, the widow of a pre deceasedsonofapredeceasedsonorthewidowofabrothershallnotbeentitledto succeedtothepropertyoftheintestateassuchwidow,ifonthedatethesuccession opens,shehasremarried. Purposeofthesection: IntheobjectsandreasonsappendedtoHinduSuccessionBill13of1954(S.28of thesebillcorrespondstoS.24ofthesaidAct)itwasstatedtheprincipleunderlying thisclauseisthatthewidowisthesurvivinghalfofherhusband,andtherefore,when sheremarries,sheceasestocontinuetobesuch(Section2oftheHinduWidowRe marriage Act, 1856), on this basis divested the inheritance already vested in the widow on her remarriage. As the law stands, remarriage disables a widow of a gotrajasapindafromsucceedingtothepropertyofamaleHinduwhenonthedate successionopens,shehasceasedtobethewidowofagotrajasapindabyreasonof remarriage.
SurayyaV.Sabbamma(1920)ILR43Mad4 Ibid3 4 Now,Section24,omittedbyAct39of2005,Section5(w.e.f992005)
2 3

Ambitofthesection: Under the hold Hindu law, certain familys heirs if they had married before successionopenedweredisqualifiedfrominheriting thepropertyofthedeceased intestate.Underthewidowremarriageact1956,ifaHinduwidowremarried,shewas divestedofthepropertyofherhusbandwhichhadvestedinherasheir. Under this section only three female heirs are disqualified from inheriting the propertyoftheintestateiftheyremarriedbeforehisdeath.Thesefemalesare:(i) sons widow, (ii) sons sons widow and (iii) brothers widow. No other widow exceptthesethreeisdisqualifiedfrominheritanceevenifshehadremarriedbefore theintestatedied.Evenfatherswidowincludingstepmotheralsoisnotdisqualified frominheritanceevenifsheremarriedbeforethesuccessionopened.Alsoonesown widowwillnotbedivestedofthepropertyalreadyvestedinher,onherremarriage. Ifanyofthesethreewidowshaveremarriedbeforethedeathoftheintestatethey incurdisqualification Inthesesectionintestateswidowisalsonotdisqualifiedbecauseintestateswidows remarriagebeforesuccessionopensdoesnotarise,asevenifshehad,marrieda secondtimehermarriagewouldbevoid,andavoidmarriageisnomarriage.Inother wordssheremainstobeamemberoftheintestatesfamilyevenisshehasmarried beforeintestatesdeathbecausesheisalreadymarriedandsecondmarriagecannot subsistandsoitisvoid.Sincethereisnosecondmarriagesheremainstobethe memberofthefamilyandhencesheisentitledtoinherittheproperty. Applicabilityofthesection: Thesectionappliesonlytointestatesuccession.Thetestamentarysuccession isbeyondthescopeofthissection,sinceatestatorhaspowertolaydowninhiswill anyconditionsonwhichalegateewilltakethelegacy. ThesectionappliesonlytoClassIandClassIIheirsofaHindumale.Itis submittedthatthequestionofitsapplicationinothercasesdoesnotarise,ascognates andagnatesareallbloodrelations.Infact,evenamongClassIandClassIIheirs onlyfiveheirsarerelationsbyaffinity.Theseare:(1)intestatesownwidow,(2) sonswidow(3)sonssonswidow(4)fatherswidow(5)brotherswidow.Thefirst threeareinClassIandlasttwoareinClass,category(VI).Ofthesethequestionof intestateswidowsremarriagebeforesuccessionopensdoesnotariseanditsreason isalreadybeenexplainedabove.Onlyfatherswidowisallowedtoinheritevenifshe hadmarried.Theotherthreewidowsaredisqualifiedunderthissection.5
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universalLawPublishingCo.Pvt.Ltd.

Dr.DiwanParas,LawofIntestateandTestamentarySuccession,Ed.2nd,

Reasonforomissionofthissection: Section24wassimplysuperfluousandredundant.Henceitsomissiondidnotcreate anysignificantlossandthissectionwasnolongerofanyusewhichfinallyresulted intotheomissionbytheAmendmentActof2005. Section25.Murdererdisqualified:Apersonwhocommitsmurderorabetsthe commissionofmurdershallbedisqualifiedfrominheritingthepropertyoftheperson murdered,oranyotherpropertyinfurtheranceofthesuccessiontowhichheorshe committedorabettedthecommissionofthemurder. Purpose: The doctrinaire theory that provisions of a statute of distribution are paramountandforbidtheconsiderationofanydisqualificationnotcontainedinthe statuteitself,wasdiscountenancedbytheJudicialCommitteeofthePrivy ThesectionhastheeffectoflayingdownthatapersonwhocommitsMurderorabets thecommissionofmurderisdisqualifiedfrominheriting (1)Thepropertyofthepersonmurdered;or (2)AnyotherpropertyhemaybecomeentitledtosucceedbyreasonOffurtherance ofsuccessionresultingfromthemurder.Itisnotnecessaryfortheapplicationofthis section that the person Disqualified should have been convicted of murder or abetment of murder. The disqualification will apply if it is established in any subsequentproceedingThatthepersontobedisqualifiedhadcommittedorabetted themurder.Thusifthecasewasoneofsuicideandtherewasnocaseofabatement, Suchapersonwouldnotbedisqualified.ItstandstoreasonthatapersonProsecuted formurderbutacquittedofthechargewouldnotbedisqualified. Application: Thesectionappliestobothintestateandtestamentarysuccession. 6Thesection definitelyappliesinthecaseswherethepropertyistobeinheritedaspertheActbut italsoapplieswherethetestatorhasleftbehindthewill.Theprincipleofthissection applies also to testamentary succession. The High court of Madras has held in Sarvanabhaba V. Sellammalthattherewasnodistinctionbetweeninheritanceand testamentarysuccessiontothepropertyofthepersonmurderedandthemurdererof thetestatorisnotentitledtothepropertybequeathedtohimunderthewill.The followingpassagefromManthaRamamurthys,LawofWillsalsosuggestthesame
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supra7

Itissettledlawthatamurderisnotentitledtosucceedtotheestateofhisvictim.A mancannotslayhisbenefactorandsustainhisbounty.Itisequallyclearthatnotitle totheestateofthepersonmurderedcanbeclaimedthroughthemurder,thatthe murderercannotberegardedasafreshstockofdescent.7Amurdererwhoisguiltyof murderingthetestatorcannottakeanybenefitunderhiswill. The section applies to succession under the Act. It does not apply to successionunderanyotherenactmentsorprovisiongovernedunderanyotherstatute, forexampletheU.PZamindariAbolitionandLandReformsAct. Section 26. Converts descendants disqualified:Where, before or after the commencement of this Act, a Hindu has ceased or ceases to be a Hindu by conversiontoanotherreligion,childrenborntohimorheraftersuchconversionand theirdescendantsshallbedisqualifiedfrominheritingthepropertyofanyoftheir Hindurelatives,unlesssuchchildrenordescendantsareHindusatthetimewhenthe successionopens Scope: UndertheoldHindulawconversionbyaHindutoanotherreligionwasadisqualification whichwasremovedbytheCastedisabilitiesRemovalAct,1850.EvenunderthisAct, whenaHindubecomesaconverttoanotherreligionhecontinuestohavearighttoinherit fromhisHindurelativebutdescendantsofaconvertaredisqualifiedfrominheritingthe intestate.ItislaiddownunderthissectionthatwhereaHinduceasedtobeaHinduby convertingtoanyreligionwhetherbeforeorafterthecommencementofthisAct,the children born to him or her after such conversion and their descendants shall be disqualifiedfrominheritingthepropertyofanyoftheirHindurelativesunlesschildrenor descendantsareHinduswhenthesuccessionopens. CeasingtobeaHindu Thissectionisnotconcernedwiththerightofsuccessionoftheconvert,i.e.,ofthe personwhohadceasedtobeaHindu.Itmerelydisqualifieshisdescendantsfrom inheritingthepropertyoftheintestate.AHinduconverttoanotherreligionisnot disqualified from inheritance even if he is a nonHindu when succession opens. Similarly,hischildrenborntohimbeforehisconversionarealsonotdisqualified. Thisdisqualificationalsodoesnotapplytodescendantsofthechildbornbeforethe conversionofhiorherparent,thoughdescendantsmaybebornafterconversion. Thus, an heir who converts to a nonHindu religion either before or after the commencementoftheActisnotdisqualifiedandwillbeheirofthedeceasedHindu.8
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ManiV.Paru;AIR1960ker195at196 Ibid17

InSubramanian V. Vijayarani9 MadrasHighcourthasheldthatthecareful readingofS.26oftheHinduSuccessionActwouldestablishthataHinduceasedto beaHindubyconversiontoanotherreligionandthechildrenborntohimorherafter suchconversionshallbedisqualifiedfrominheritingthepropertiesoftheirhindu relatives.IncaseofE.RameshV.P.Rajini10itwasheldbythecourtthattheclaim forsharebythedaughterinthepropertiesofherparentscouldnotberesistedbyher brothersonthegroundthatshehadmarriedaMuslimandwouldnotbeentitledto anyshare. Descendantsoftheconvert: Thedisqualificationofdescendantsofaconvertrequirestwoconditionstobe fulfilled: Thechildrenarethosewhoareborntohimafterhisconversion. TheyortheirdescendantsarenotHinduswhensuccessionopens. Thesectionlaysdownthatconvertschildrenborntohimafterconversion,andthe descendantsofsuchchildrenaredisqualifiedasheirsoftheHinduintestateonlyif they are nonHindu when succession opens. If they are Hindus (obviously by conversion) when succession opens they are not disqualified. If they convert to Hinduismafterthesuccessionhasopened,theycontinuetobedisqualified. UnderthissectionthedescendantsofHinduconverttononHindureligioncannot inheritthepropertyofaHindurelative;converselyHindurelationscannotsucceedto theirproperty. Applicability: Thissectionhasnoapplicationtotestamentarysuccessionwherethetermsof the testamentgoverntherulesof successionbutitisonlyapplicabletointestate succession. ProspectiveorRetrospective: Section26ispartlyprospectiveandpartlyretrospective.Itisprospectiveinthesense thatthedisqualificationunderthesectionwillariseonlyifsuccessionopensafterthe commencementofthisAct.Ifthesuccessionopenedearlierandtheintestatedied before the Act came into force, the law prevailing at the time will operate. The
9

10

(2001)2MLJ444 (1999)1MPLJ69

sectionisretrospectiveinoneaspectinthatthesectionwillapplyalsotoacase wheretheconversionhadtakenplacepriortothecommencementofthisAct. Section27 . Successionwhenheirdisqualified:Ifanypersonisdisqualifiedfrom inheritinganypropertyunderthisAct,itshalldevolveasifsuchpersonhaddied beforetheintestate. Thesectionlaysdownthegeneralrelatingtotheeffectofdisabilitydisqualification resultingfromanyofthecausesmentionedinthegroupofsection24to28andisin accordancewiththeruleofHindulawthatwhereheirisdisqualified,thenextheirof thedeceasedsucceedsasifthedisqualifiedpersonhaddiedbeforetheintestate.A disqualifiedpersontransmitsnointeresttohisorherownheir.Itmaybenotedthat asageneralruledisqualificationfrominheritanceispurelypersonalanddoesnot extendstoissueofthedisqualifiedheirunlessthereisanyprovisionoflawtothe contrariestheprovisionrelatingtothedecedentsofconvertofHinduism. Ambitofthesection: Thissectionprovidesforconsequencesofdisqualificationsincurredbyan heirfrominheritingunderanyprovisionoftheAct.Thissectionlaysdownthateven thoughthedisqualifiedheirisalive,hewillbedeemedtobenotinexistence.The property of the intestate shall devolve as if such person had died before the intestate11. Consequenceofdisqualification: Under this section a disqualified heir is deemed to have died before the intestate,itfollowsthatnopersoncanclaimtherightofinheritancetothepropertyof theintestatethroughhimorher.Thewordbeforeusedinthesectionmakesit abundantlyclearthatthepropertydoesnotvestinthedisqualifiedheir,andifitdoes notvestinhim,hecannotbethemediumofpassingpropertytoothers.Inother, wordsadisqualifiedheircannotbeafreshstockofdescentandapersonclaiming through the disqualified heir cannot succeed. But it makes no difference to the applicationoftherulewhethertheconvertceasedtobeaHindubeforeorafterthe commencementofthisAct. (e)Section28.Disease,defect,etc.nottodisqualify:Nopersonshallbedisqualified fromsucceedingtoanypropertyonthegroundofanydisease,defectordeformity,or saveasprovidedinthisAct,onanyothergroundwhatsoever.

11

Desai.S.A.,MullaHinduLawVol.II,Ed.19th,LexisNexis,Butterworths.

Certain defects, deformities and diseases see notes on excluded an heir from inheritance.ThiswassubstantiallyremediedbytheHinduInheritance(Removalof Disabilities)Act1928,whichruledthat'noperson,otherthanapersonwhoisand hasbeenfrombilthalunaticoridiot,shallbeexcludedfrominheritanceorfromany rightorshareinjointfamilypropertybyreasononlyofanydisease,deformityor physicalormentaldefect'.Thepresentsectiondiscardsalmostallthegrou1,which, exclusionfrominheritance.Itrulesoutdisqualificationonanygroundwhatsoever accepting those expressly recognized by any provisions of: Act. Unchastity of a widowisnotadisqualificationunderthenorisconversionofanheirtoanyother religionadisqualificationundertheHinduSuccessionAct. The section is not retrospective. The section comes into operation only in cases where succession opens after the commencement of this Act. Where succession openedpriortothecommencementoftheAct,itwasheldthatthesectionnotbeing retrospective, an unchaste was not entitled to take shelter under this section.12 SimilarlyinoneanothercaseofAnhia V. Bajnath13 astepmotherofthedeceased intestate female remarried prior to the commencement of this Act, though the intestatewomandiedafterthecommencementofthisAct,itwasheldthatthestep motherwasnotentitledtoinheritasshewasdisqualified. Applicability:Thesectionappliestobothtestamentaryandintestatesuccession. SUGGESTIONS: Sections24to28ofHSAdealswithdisqualificationstosuccessionandthese provisions are explained in great detail in above chapter. From these detailed discussionitcanbeinferredthatundertheseActdisqualificationtakesplaceonlyin caseofremarriagebythewidowsmentionedinS.24,murderorabetmenttomurder forfurtheranceofchanceofproperty(S.25)andbyconversion(S.26).Ithasbeen expresslyprovidedinS.28thatallothergroundsofdisqualificationswhichwere prevalentpriortothecommencementofthisActhavebeenabolishedexceptthose expresslymentionedunderthisAct.Duetotheseseveralgroundssuchasunchastity, lunacy,idiocy,physicaldeformity,disease,specificconduct,etcarenomoregrounds ofdisqualifications.UnderoldHindulaw,blindness,deafness,dumbness,wantof limb or organ, lunacy, idiocy, leprosy and other incurable disease disqualified a personfrominheritingbuttheHinduInheritance(RemovalofDisabilities)Act,1928 declaredthatnopersonshallbeexcludedfrominheritanceonanyofthesegrounds unless he was from birth lunatic or an idiot but this Act have removed this disqualification provided under Hindu Inheritance (Removal of Disabilities) Act, 1928.
12 13

AppaSahibV.GurubaswaAIR1960Mys79;VedavyasRaoV.NarayanaRaoAIR1962Mys18 AIR1974Pat177

Thefollowingshouldbeincludedinthedisqualificationtosuccession: a .StepmothershouldbedisqualifiedunderS.24 IntheoriginalHindusuccessionBill13of1954,clause28correspondingto S.24ofHSAincludedfatherswidow.Soiffatherswidowremarriedthenshewas disqualified from inheritance. But in the amended Bill and in the Act, fathers widowhasbeendeletedandthereasonbehindthisisthatfatherswidowincludes bothmotherandstepmotherandmotherisentitledtoinheritthepropertyinherown right and not as an widow of father and so her remarriage should have no consequence. b.UnsuccessfulattempttomurdershouldalsobeincludedintheambitofS.25. ThescopeofS.25isquietimpressiveandisverywelldraftedtoincludemurdereror anabettorofmurderofeitheranintestateorofanypersonforfurtheranceofsuch property. The section disqualifies a murderer or an abettor from inheriting thepropertyofthedeceasedbutitinnowayincludesthepersonwhohastriedto murdertheintestateoranyotherpersonforfurtheranceofpropertybuthassomehow failedtodosowhichresultedintoanunsuccessfulattempt. Thusinordertoservethepurposeofthesectionandonthegroundsofjustice,equity andgoodconscienceevenanunsuccessfulattempttomurdershouldalsobeincluded intheambitofthesection. c.Unchastityofawidowshouldalsobeagroundofdisqualification UnderoldHinduLawunchastitywasagroundfordisqualificationanditwas based on the ground of family prestige, social cohesion and ethics. But S.28 specificallylasdownthatnopersonshallbedisqualifiedfromsucceedingtoany propertyonanyothergroundexceptthosespecificallymentionedinthesaidAct.In HSAunchastityhasnotbeenmentionedspecificallyasagroundofdisqualification andsoasperS.28itisnomoreagroundofdisqualification. d.Offenseslikerape&tortureshouldalsobeagroundfordisqualification InHSAthereisnoprovisionfordisqualificationforapersoncommittingeitherrape ortorturetointestateortopersonfromwhomhehastosucceed. Conclusion The principle of equality is equated with sameness treatment in an intrinsically unequal society.LawofsuccessionunderHSAisdealtbySs.24to28andwithrespecttothesesections 1

apersoncanbedisqualifiedonlyincaseofremarriagebyfewwidowsexpresslymentionedin thesection,whenapersoncommitsmurderforfurtheranceofpropertyandwhenapersonisa descendantofaconvert.Underonlythesethreecircumstancesapersoncanbedisqualifiedto inheritandrestalldisqualificationsprevalentunderoldHinduLawareabolished. Accordingtomyviewthefollowingshouldbeincludedinthedisqualificationof successionthereisnodoubtthatthesesectionsenactedbythelegislaturesarewellfounded andithasdoneagreatjobinprovidingfewspecificgroundsofdisqualifications.Butin respecttoabovediscussionitissubmittedthatfewothergroundsofdisqualificationsshould beaddedinadditiontothosealreadymentionedandtheyareasfollows: 1. Stepmothershouldbedisqualifiedonre marriageunderS.24 2. Unsuccessful attempt of murder should also be a ground to disqualification to successionunderS.25 3. Unchaste women should also be disqualified 4. Apersoncommittingrapeofpersonfrom whomheisgoingtoinheritshouldalsobe disqualified. 5. Apersontorturinganotherpersonshould alsobedisqualifiedtoinherittheproperty ofthatanotherperson. Hence it is submitted that the present law of disqualification under HSA is appropriateforHindulawandassuchthereisnoneedforanykindofchangeor alteration in these law except that some other grounds of disqualifications as mentionedaboveshouldalsobeaddedinHinduSuccessionAct,1956. BIBLIOGRAPHY BooksReferred:
1. Dr.DiwanParas,LawofIntestateandTestamentarySuccession,Ed.2nd,universal LawPublishingCo.Pvt. Ltd. Desai.S.A.,MullaHinduLawVol.II,Ed.19th,LexisNexis,Butterworths Dr.DiwanParas,ModernHinduLaw,(2005),Ed.7th,Edition.

2. 3.