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HinduAdoptionAndMaintenanceActTheLaws

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HinduAdoptionAndMaintenanceAct

July28,2009

Introduction

TheHinduAdoptionAndMaintenanceActisaprogressivepieceoflegislation.ItissobecausetheActisfreefromallreligious
andsacramentalaspectsofadoption.Allthatisrequiredafter1956isthattheadoptioninordertobevoidmustconformtothe
requirementoftheeac.ThustheperformanceofDattakHoma,areligiousceremonyisnomorenecessary.

SomeofthemainprovisionsoftheActrelatingtoadoptionare

1.Hindusmayadoptbothmaleandfemaleastheirheirs.TheoldHindulawdidnotpermitgivingofdaughtersinadoption
butthepresentActenablesapersontoadoptadaughterifhesodesires.

1.Forpurposesofadoption,whetherofasonorofadaughter,theconsentofawifeisalsonecessary.

1.TheprovisionsoftheActaretooverrideallexistingcustoms,usage,texts,rulesorinterpretationsofHindulawexcept
asexpresslyprovidedintheAct.Moreover,anyotherlawinforceimmediatelybeforethecommencementoftheAct
shallseizetooperateandapplytoHindusasitwouldbeinconsistentwiththeprovisionsofthisAct.

1.Nopersonneedstobedivestedofanypropertywhichhadvestedinhispossessiontotheadoptionbyreasononlyof
thefactthatsubsequenttosuchvesting,thepersonhasmadeanadoption.Theadoptedchildshouldnotbethesole
causeorreasonforapersontobedivestedinhim/herbeforeadoption.

1.Itwillbepossibleforapersontoadoptachildirrespectiveofhiscaste

1.AHinduwidowmayadoptachildinherownname

1.AnyadoptionmadeafterthecommencementoftheActexceptinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthisActwillbevoid.

1.Foranyadoptiontobevoid,theActhasmadeitmandatoryforpersonstosatisfytheconditionsasmentionedin
Section6

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1.Thefather,themotherorinboththeirabsence,theguardianshallhavetherighttogivethechildinadoption.

1.UndertheoldHindulaw,asonadoptedbyaHinduwidowwasdeemedtobeherhusbandssonandtheadoptionwas
relatedbacktothedateofdeathofherhusband.ButunderthisAct,theadoptioniseffectivefromthedateonwhichthe
adoptionismade.

Section2ApplicabilityoftheHinduAdoptionAndMaintenanceAct

TheActextendstothewholeofIndiaexcepttothestateofJammuandKashmirvideSection1.AccordingtoSection2,the
Actappliesto

(a)

toanyperson,whoisaHindubyreligioninanyofitsformsordevelopments,includingaVirashaiva,aLingayatora
followeroftheBrahmo,PrathanaorAryaSamaj,

(b)

toanypersonwhoisaBuddhist,JainorSikhbyreligion,and

(c)

toanyotherpersonwhoisnotaMuslim,Christian,ParsiorJewbyreligion,unlessitisprovedthatanysuchperson
wouldnothavebeengovernedbytheHindulaworbyanycustomorusageaspartofthatlawinrespectofanyofthe
matterdealtwithhereinifthisActhadnotbeenpassed.

ExplanationtoSection2

ThefollowingpersonsareHindus,Buddhists,JainsorSikhsbyreligion,asthecasemaybe:

(a)
(b)
(bb)
(c)

anychild,legitimateorillegitimate,bothofwhoseparentsareHindus,Buddhists,JainsorSikhsbyreligion
anychild,legitimateorillegitimate,oneofwhoseparentsisaHindu,Buddhist,JainorSikhbyreligionandwhois
broughtupasamemberofthetribe,community,grouporfamilytowhichsuchparentbelongsorbelonged[1]
anychild,legitimateorillegitimate,whohasbeenabandonedbothbyhisfatherandmotherorwhoseparentageis
notknownandwhoineithercaseisbroughtupasaHindu,Buddhist,JainorSikhand
anypersonwhoisconvertorreconverttotheHindu,Buddhist,JainorSikhreligion.

Section5Adoptionstoberegulated

Section5(1)hasexpresslystatedthatnoadoptionshallbemadeotherthanthecommencementofthefactbyaHinduortoa
HinduexceptinaccordancewiththeprovisionscontainedinchapterIIoftheAct.Anyadoptionmadeincontraventiontothe
provisionsoftheActshallbevoid.

AccordingtoSection5(2),anadoptionwhichisvoidshallneithercreateanyrightsintheadoptivefamilyinfavorofthe
adoptedpersonnordestroytherightsofsuchpersoninthefamilyofhis/herbirth.

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Section6Requisitesofavalidadoption

Noadoptionshallbevalidunless

(i)thepersonadoptinghasthecapacity,andalsotheright,totakeinadoption

(ii)thepersongivinginadoptionhasthecapacitytodoso

(iii)thepersonadoptediscapableofbeingtakeninadoptionand

(iv)theadoptionismadeincompliancewiththeotherconditionsmentionedinChapterII.

Eachoftheconditionsofavalidadoptionarediscussedasfollows

1.CapacityofthepersontotakeinadoptionSections7and8

Inorderthatadoptioncanbesaidtobevalidinlawitisnecessarythatthepersonadoptingthechildhasthecapacityaswell
astherighttotakeinadoption.

AccordingtoSection7oftheAct,everyMALEHinduwhoisofsoundmidandnotaminorhasthecapacitytotakein
adoption.Butifhehasawifelivingtotakeasonordaughterinadoption,hecannotadopt,exceptifthewife
Hascompletelyandwhollyrenouncedtheworld
CeasedtobeaHindu
DeclaredbyaCourtofcompetentjurisdictiontobeofunsoundmind.

ExplanationtoSection7statesthatifapersonhasmorethanonewifelivingatthetimeofadoption,thentheconsentof
allthewivesiscompulsoryforanyofthereasonsspecifiedinthisSection,asmentionedabove.

TheexpressionsoundmindhasnotbeendefinedinthisActbutunderSection12ofICA,itmeansthatthepersonmaking
thecontract,whenhemakesit,shouldbecapableofunderstandingitandformingarationaljudgmentastoitseffectuponhis
interest.

Whenwifehasrenouncedtheworld,itisnotnecessarytoobtainherconsentbeforeadoptingthechildbyherhusband.
Renunciationisatantamounttocivildeath.

Section8oftheActprovidesforthecapacityoftheFEMALEHindutotakeinadoption.TheSectionlaysdownthatany
femaleHinduhasthecapacityto,adoptwhoisof

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Soundmind
Notaminor
Notmarried,butifsheismarried
Buthermarriagehasbeendissolved
Husbandisdead(widow)
Husbandhascompletelyrenouncedtheworld
HusbandhasceasedtobeaHindu
HasbeendeclaredbyaCourtofcompetentjurisdictiontobeofunsoundmind.

UndertheoldHindulaw,anunmarriedfemaleHinduorawidowhadnopowerorrighttoadopt.Amarriedwoman,then,could
notadoptevenwithouttheconsentofherhusband.Iftherehadtobeanadoption,itwouldbeinthenameofherhusband,
madewithherconsent.

Thepositionthus,isthatamarriedwomanwhosemarriagesubsists,totallylacksthecapacitytoadoptexceptinthe
followingthreecases

Husbandhascompletelyrenouncedtheworld
HusbandhasceasedtobeaHindu
HasbeendeclaredbyaCourtofcompetentjurisdictiontobeofunsoundmind.

AdoptionbyWidow

UndertheoldHindulawaHinduWIDOWcouldnotadoptachildinherownright.Shehadnopowertoadoptexceptunderthe
authoritygivenbyherdeceasedhusbandbeforehisdeathorwiththeconsentofaSapindaofherdeceasedhusband.Under
theoldHindulaw,asonadoptedbytheHinduwidowwasdeemedtobeherhusbandsson.

ButaftertheenactmentofthisAct,nosuchauthorityisnecessaryforawidowwhocannowadoptasamatterofright.Sheis
notboundtomakeadoptionandcannotbecompelledtodoso.Adoptionbythewidowwillcometothebenefitofboththe
widowasalsotoherdeceasedhusband.

WhocangiveinadoptionSection9

Thesecondconditiontoconstitutethevalidadoptionisthatthepersongivingtheadoptionmusthavethecapacityandrightto
givethechildforadoption.

Givingandreceivingoftheadoptedchildareabsolutelynecessarytovalidatetheadoption.ButtheActdoesnotprescribe
anyparticularforminwhichthesemightbecarriedout.Foravalidadoptionallthatthelawrequiresisthattheremustbe
evidenceofintentiontotransferchildfromthenaturalfamilytotheadoptivefamily.Thefatherofthechildwhoisto
giveinhischildforadoptionshallbeaskedbytheadoptiveparentandthenthechildistobehandedoverandtakeninforthat
purpose.

TheprovisionrelatingtowhocangiveinadoptionisenvisagedinSection9oftheAct.

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UnderSection9(1)onlythefatherormotherortheguardianofthechildhasthecapacitytogivethechildinadoption.

Section9(2)statesinexplicittermsthattheFATHERifalivealonehastherighttogivehischildinadoption.Butsuchright
cannotbeexercisedwithouttheconsentofthemother.

However,atthesametime,thisSectionhasprovidedthattheconsentofthemotherneednotbetaken,wherethemother

hascompletelyrenouncedtheworld
hasceasedtobeaHindu
hasbeendeclaredbyaCourtofcompetentjurisdictiontobeofunsoundmind.

Section9(3)empowerstheMOTHERtogivethechildinadoptionprovidedthatthefatherofthechild

hascompletelyrenouncedtheworld
hasceasedtobeaHindu
HasbeendeclaredbyaCourtofcompetentjurisdictiontobeofunsoundmind.

Section9(4)oftheActgivesauthoritytotheGUARDIANofthechildtogivethechildinadoption.AccordingtothisSection,
theguardianmaygivethechildinadoptionwiththepriorconsentoftheCourttoanypersonincludingtheguardian
himselfwhereboththeparentsofthechild

Aredead(orphan)
Havecompletelyrenouncedtheworld
HaveceasedtobeaHindu
HavebeendeclaredbyaCourtofcompetentjurisdictiontobeofunsoundmind.
Haveabandonedthechild
Parentageofthechildisunknown(foundling)

PriorpermissionoftheCourtnecessary?

Section9(5)laysdownthatbeforegrantingpermissiontoaguardianunderSection9(4),thecourtshallbesatisfiedthat
theadoptionwillbeforthewelfareofthechild,dueconsiderationbeingforthispurposegiventothewishesofthechild
havingregardtotheageandunderstandingofthechildandthattheapplicantforpermissionhasnotreceivedoragreedto
receiveandthatnopersonhasmadeorgivenoragreedtomakeorgivetotheapplicantanypaymentorrewardin
considerationoftheadoptionexceptsuchasthecourtmaysanction.

ExplanationtoSection9statesthatforthepurposesofthissection

1.theexpressionsfatherandmotherdonotincludeanadoptivefatherandanadoptivefatherandanadoptive
mother

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1.guardianmeansapersonhavingthecareofthepersonofachildorofbothhispersonandpropertyandincludes

(a)aguardianappointedbythewillofthechildsfatherormother
(b)aguardianappointedordeclaredbyacourtand

1.courtmeansthecitycivilcourtoradistrictcourtwithinthelocallimitsofwhosejurisdictionthechildtobeadopted
ordinarilyresides.

1.CapacityofthepersonadoptedSection10

Thethirdnecessaryconditionforvalidadoptionisthatthepersonadoptediscapableofbeingtakeninadoption.Section10
dealswithpersonswhomaybeadopted.

Section10statesthatnopersonshallbecapableofbeingtakeninadoptionunlessthefollowingconditionsarefulfilled,
namely:

(i)heorsheisHindu

(ii)heorshehasnotalreadybeenadopted

(iii)heorshehasnotbeenmarried,unlessthereisacustomorusageapplicabletothepartieswhichpermitspersonswho
aremarriedbeingtakeninadoption

(iv)heorshehasnotcompletedtheageoffifteenyears,unlessthereisacustomorusageapplicabletothepartieswhich
permitspersonswhohavecompletedtheageoffifteenyearsbeingtakeninadoption.

Thusisgeneral,themaleorfemalechildmustnothavecompletedtheageof15yearsatthetimeofadoption.

1.OtherconditionsSection11

Ineveryadoption,thefollowingconditionsmustbecompliedwith:

Adoptionofason

(i)
Iftheadoptionisofason,theadoptivefatherormotherbywhomtheadoptionismademustnothaveaHinduson,

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sonssonorsonssonsson(whetherbylegitimatebloodrelationshiporbyadoption)livingatthetimeofadoption
Adoptionofadaughter

(ii)
iftheadoptionisofadaughter,theadoptivefatherormotherbywhomtheadoptionismademustnothaveaHindu
daughterorsonsdaughter(whetherbylegitimatebloodrelationshiporbyadoption)livingatthetimeofadoption
Maleadoptsadaughter

(iii)
iftheadoptionisbyamaleandthepersontobeadoptedisafemale,theadoptivefatherisatleast21yearsolder
thanthepersontobeadopted
Femaleadoptsason

(iv)
iftheadoptionisbyafemaleandthepersontobeadoptedisamale,theadoptivemotherisatleasttwentyone
yearsolderthanthepersontobeadopted
Adoptingsamechildby2differentpersons

(v)
thesamechildmaynotbeadoptedsimultaneouslybytwoormorepersons(doesnotrefertoifbothpersonsare
adoptivemotherandfather)
Intentiontotransfer

(vi)

thechildtobeadoptedmustbeactuallygivenandtakeninadoptionbytheparentsorguardianconcernedorunder
theirauthoritywithintenttotransferthechildfromthefamilyofitsbirthorinthecaseofanabandonedchildorchild
whoseparentageisnotknown,fromtheplaceorfamilywhereithasbeenbroughtuptothefamilyofitsadoption:

Providedthattheperformanceofdattahomamshallnotbeessentialtothevalidityofadoption.

Everyadoptionimpliesanelementoffreeconsenttotheadoption,bothofthepersonsreceivingandgivingthechildin
adoptionaswellasthechildbeingadoptedifthatchildisamajoronthedateofadoptiontakingplace.Ifadoptionwasmade
bycoercion,undueinfluence,fraud,misrepresentation,etc.,thentheadoptionisvoidableattheoptionofthepartywhose
consentwassocaused.

Alunaticchildmaybevalidlyadopted.Also,undertheoldHindulaw,thoughanillegitimatechildwasnotpermittedfor
adoption,however,undertheAct,suchchildcanbevalidlyadopted.

**

EffectsofavalidadoptionSection12
2008

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Anadoptedchildshallbedeemedtobethechildofhisorheradoptivefatherormotherforallpurposeswitheffectfromthe
dateoftheadoptionandfromsuchdateallthetiesofthechildinthefamilyofhisorherbirthshallbedeemedtobesevered
andreplacedbythosecreatedbytheadoptionintheadoptivefamily:

Providedthat(a)thechildcannotmarryanypersonwhomheorshecouldnothavemarriedifheorshehadcontinuedinthe
familyofhisorherbirth

(b)anypropertywhichvestedintheadoptedchildbeforetheadoptionshallcontinuetovestinsuchpersonsubjecttothe
obligations,ifany,attachingtotheownershipofsuchproperty,includingtheobligationtomaintainrelativesinthefamilyofhis
orherbirth

(c)theadoptedchildshallnotdivestanypersonofanyestatewhichvestedinhimorherbeforetheadoption.

RightofadoptiveparentstodisposeoftheirpropertiesSection13

Section13laysdownthatwherethereisnoagreementtothecontrary,anadoptiondoesnotdeprivetheadoptivefatheror
motherofthepowertodisposeofhisorherpropertybytransferintervivosorbywill.

Thusanadoptiveparentisinnowayrestrainedinthedisposaloftheirpropertybyreasonofadoption.

Adoptiveparentsrighttodisposingoffhispropertyissubjecttoanagreementtothecontrarythatmighthavebeenentered
intoatthetimeofadoptionbetweentheadoptiveparentsandthenaturalparentsonbehalfofthechildforhisbenefit.Under
theAct,thus,agreementsrestrictingthepowerofalienationoftheadoptiveparentsisvoid.

RelationshipofadoptedchildSection14

Section14laysdownastohowanadoptedchildwillberelatedtocertainrelationsofadopter.TheSectionprovidesforthe
determinationofadoptivemotherincertaincases.TheSectionlaysdownthat

(1)WhereaHinduwhohasawifelivingadoptsachild,sheshallbedeemedtobetheadoptivemother.

(2)Whereanadoptionhasbeenmadewiththeconsentofmorethanonewife,theseniormostinmarriageamongthemshall
bedeemedtobetheadoptivemotherandtheotherstobestepmothers.

(3)Whereawidowerorabacheloradoptsachild,anywifewhomhesubsequentlymarriesshallbedeemedtobethestep
motheroftheadoptedchild.

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(4)Whereawidoworanunmarriedwomanadoptsachild,anyhusbandwhomshemarriessubsequentlyshallbedeemedto
bethestepfatheroftheadoptedchild.

ValidadoptionnottobecancelledSection15

Section15laysdownthatnoadoptionwhichhasbeenvalidlymadecanbecancelledbyfatherormother.Anadopted
childalsocannotrenouncehis/herstatusastheadoptedchildandreturntothefamilyofhis/herbirth.

ProhibitionofcertainpaymentsSection17

Section17prohibitscertainpayments.

Section17(1)statesthatnopersonshallreceiveandnopersonshallmakeorgivetoanyotherpersonanypaymentor
rewardthereceiptofwhichisprohibitedbythissection.

Section17(2)providesthatifanypersoncontravenestheprovisionsofSection17(1),heshallbepunishablewith
imprisonmentwhichmayextendtosixmonths,orwithfine,orwithboth.

Finally,Section17(3)statesthatnoprosecutionunderthissectionshallbeinstitutedwithouttheprevioussanctionofthe
StateGovernmentoranofficerauthorizedbytheStateGovernmentinthisbehalf.

Effectsofinvalidadoption

Theadoptedsondoesnotacquireanyrightintheadoptedfamily.Hedoesnotforfeithisrightinthenaturalfamily.

**

Introduction

ThesubjectofmaintenanceamongHindusisdealtwithunderSections18to28intheHinduAdoptionandMaintenanceAct
1956.ItislargelybasedonthelawsimmediatelypriortotheenactmentofthisAct.

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Themaintenanceofagedparents,infantchildandwifeisconsideredtobethegreatestdutyofaperson.ThuseveryHindu
hasapersonalobligationtomaintainhiswife,childrenandagedparents.

TheliabilityofaHindutomaintainothers(e.g..Dependants)arisesinsomecasesduetothemererelationship
betweentheparties.AHinduisundertheobligationtomaintainhiswife,minorsons,unmarrieddaughtersandaged
parentsevenifhemayormaynotpossessanyproperty.

Thefollowingpersonsaretheonlypersonswhoareunderabsolutepersonalobligationtomaintainothers,independently
afterthepossessionofanyproperty

Thefatherormotherisboundtomaintaintheunmarrieddaughtersandminorsons.
Husbandisboundtomaintainhiswife
ASon(notaminor)whoisboundtomaintainhisagedparents.

Besidestheabovecases,theobligationtoprovidemaintenanceiscoextensivewiththeproperty.Thereisnopersonal
obligation.Itdependsaltogetheronthepossessionofpropertyasinthecaseofmaintenanceofwidoweddaughterinlaw
asenvisagedunderSection19oftheAct.

18.Maintenanceofwife.

Mostsystemsoflawrecognizethedirectobligationofthehusbandtomaintainhiswifesolongasthemarriagesubsistsand
thewiferemainsfaithful.Inthemodernlaws,theobligationtomaintenancemayexistevenafterdissolutionofmarriagevide
Section25oftheHMA1955.

InthemodernHindusociety,mostwivesarestilldependantontheirhusbandseconomically.Theobligationofthehusband
arisesoutofrelationshipbetweenthehusbandandwifecreatedbytheperformanceoftheirmarriage,irrespectiveofthefact
ifhehasanypropertyornot.

Section18laysdownthefollowingprovisionsrelatingtomaintenanceofwife.

Section18(1)laysdownthatsubjecttotheprovisionsofthissection,aHinduwife,whethermarriedbeforeorafterthe
commencementofthisAct,shallbeentitledtobemaintainedbyherhusbandduringherlifetime.

UnderSection18(1),thewifesrightmayarisewhen

Sheliveswithherhusband

Awifewhoresideswithherhusbandmustbemaintainedbyhim.Theobligationofthehusbandispurelyapersonalone.It
cannotbevalidgroundtorefusemaintenancethathisfinancialconditionisnotgood.

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Sheislivesseparatefromherhusband

Awifewholivesapartfromherhusbandwithhisconsentisentitledtomaintenance.Sheisalsoentitledtomaintenanceifshe
livesapartfromhimforajustifiablecause,asmentionedasfollows

Abandoningthewifewithoutreasonablecauseandwithouttheconsentoragainstherwishor
ofwillfullyneglectinghermaybeconsideredasdesertion.
Desertion

Cruelty

ItmaybenotedthatthedistinctionbetweendesertionunderSection18(2)(a)andjudicial
separationordivorceunderSection10and13oftheHMA1955isthattheDivorcemaybe
foratleast2yearswhereasdesertionmaybeforanyperiod.
Ifthehusbandhastreatedhiswifewithsuchcrueltysoastocauseareasonableapprehension
inhermindthatitwillbeharmfulorinjurioustolivewiththehusband

(c)Leprosy

Ifthehusbandissufferingfromvirulentformofleprosy

1.4.
Anotherwifeisliving
Ifthehusbandhasanyotherwifelivingwithhimprovidedthewifecanclaimmaintenanceand

thattheotherwifeislivingwiththehusbandatthetimewhensuchclaimismade.

1.5.Ifthehusbandkeepsaconcubineinthesamehouseinwhichthewiferesidesorhehabitually
Keepsaconcubine
resideswithaconcubineelsewhere.SuchanActisanextremeformofadulteryandthewife
canliveseparatelyandclaimmaintenance.
(f)Conversion

IfthehusbandhasceasedtobeaHindubyconversiontoanotherreligion

(g)Anyotherjustifiable
cause

Ifthereisanyotherjustifiablecauseforherlivingseparately.

Section18(3)laysdowntheprovisionforwhenawifemayforfeitherclaimofmaintenance.Thefollowingcasesare

1.Anunchastewifehasnorighttoclaimseparateresidenceandmaintenance.
2.AwifewhohasceasedtobeaHindubyconversiontoanotherreligionhasnorighttomaintenance.

19.Maintenanceofwidoweddaughterinlaw.

Hindulawhasrecognizedittobetheobligationofajointfamilytomaintainwivesandwidowsofcoparceners.Awidowed
daughterinlawcanclaimmaintenanceagainstthejointfamily,asunderSection19oftheAct.

Section19(1)laysdownthataHinduwife,whethermarriedbeforeorafterthecommencementofthisAct,shallbeentitled
tobemaintainedafterthedeathofherhusbandbyherfatherinlaw.

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AccordingtotheProvisotoSection19(1),theobligationofthefatherinlawisnotprimarybutconditional.Provisoto
Section19(1)statesthatshecanclaimmaintenancefromherfatherinlawonlywhensheisunabletomaintainherselfoutof
herownearningsorotherpropertyor,whereshehasnopropertyofherown,isunabletoobtainmaintenance

(a)fromtheestateofherhusbandorherfatherormother,or

(b)fromhersonordaughter,ifany,orhisorherestate.

Section19(2)statesthatthefatherinlawisobligedtoprovidemaintenancetosuchdaughterinlawfromanycoparcenary
propertyinhispossessionoutofwhichthedaughterinlawhasnotobtainedanyshare.

ThetermcoparcenarypropertyincludesancestralpropertyasinterpretedbythejudiciaryinIndia.Thus,ifthefatherin
lawhasnocoparcenaryproperty,hehasnoobligationtomaintainthedaughterinlaw.

Section20.Maintenanceofchildrenandagedparents.

Section20oftheActprovidesforthemaintenanceofchildrenandagedparents.Theobligationtomaintainoneschildrenis
apersonalobligationandarisesoutofpersonalrelationshipofparentandchild.UndertheHindulaw,thefatheralonewas
undertheobligationtomaintainbothhislegitimateandillegitimatechildren.Themodernlawimposestheobligationonboth
parentstomaintainillegitimateandlegitimatechildren.Thisobligationextends,ordinarily,totheminorityofthechildren.The
Actabolishesalldistinctionsbetweenlegitimateandillegitimatechildren.

Moreover,aHinduparentisrequiredtomaintainhisadoptedchildduringtheminoritybecauseheisalwaysunderthe
obligationtomaintainhisnaturalchild.Themererefusalofasontoresidewithhisfatherdoesnotentitlehimtoclaim
maintenancebutthequantumofmaintenancemaybeaffected.

AccordingtoSection20(1),aHinduisboundduringthelifetime,tomaintainthelegitimateorillegitimatechildrenaswellas
theagedparents.UndertheoldHindulaw,theobligationtomaintainonesagedparentsisapurelypersonalobligationwhich
wasimposedonthesonalone.Daughtershadnosuchobligation.TheActunderSection20makesitanobligationforboth
sonsanddaughterstomaintaintheiraged/infirmparents.

Theobligationtomaintainonesagedparentsexistsonlyduringtheirlifetime.Theobligationbeingpersonalexists
independentofpersonalpossessionofanyproperty.

Section20(2)statesthatalegitimateorillegitimatechildmayclaimmaintenancefromeitherparentaslongasthechildisa
minor.

UndertheActtheobligationtomaintaintheagedparentsareofpersonalnatureunderSection20,yetunderSection20(3),
theyarenotabsolute.Section20(3)statesthatoneisrequiredtomaintainhisagedparentsorunmarrieddaughterinsofar
astheparentorunmarrieddaughterisunabletomaintainthemselvesoutoftheirownearningsorotherproperty.

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Thusanunmarrieddaughter,evenifsheisamajor,mayclaimformaintenanceifsheisunabletomaintainherselfoutofher
ownearningsorotherproperty.ExplanationtoSection20includesachildlessstepmotherinthetermparent.

Sections21&22maintenanceofDependants

Section21and22oftheActcreatenewrightsofcertainpersonscalleddependants.Theyarerelativesofthedeceased
Hinduandmayclaimmaintenanceagainstthepropertyofthedeceasedinthehandsoftheheirs.

Itmaybenotedthatthetermheirsreferstoallthosepersonsonwhomtheestateofthedeceaseddevolve.

Therightofdependantsexistsagainstthedeceasedandnotagainsttheheirspersonally.Thisrightdoesnotariseduringthe
lifetimeofthepersononwhomtheyaredependant.Theyaretermedasdependantsonlyafterthedeathofsuchpersons.
ThisisclearlyimpliedfromtheSection21.

ForthepurposesofthisChapterdependantsmeansthefollowingrelativesofthedeceased:

(i)

hisorherfather

(ii)

hisorhermother

(iii)

hiswidow,solongasshedoesnotremarry
hisorhersonorthesonofhispredeceasedsonorthesonofpredeceasedsonofhispredeceasedson,solongas
heisaminor.

(iv)
Thisrightcontinuesaslongastheson,grandson,greatgrandson,etc.,areminorsprovidedandtotheextent
thatheisunabletoobtainmaintenance,inthecaseofagrandsonfromhisfathersormothersestate,andinthe
caseofagreatgrandson,fromtheestateofhisfatherormotherorfathersfatherorfathersmother
hisorherunmarrieddaughter,ortheunmarrieddaughterofhispredeceasedsonortheunmarrieddaughterofa
predeceasedsonofhispredeceasedson,solongassheremainsunmarried.

(v)
Therightwillcontinueprovidedandtotheextentthatsheisunabletoobtainmaintenance,inthecaseofagrand
daughterfromherfathersormothersestateandinthecaseofagreatgranddaughterfromtheestateofher
fatherormotherorfathersfatherorfathersmother
hiswidoweddaughter:providedandtotheextentthatsheisunabletoobtainmaintenance

(a)fromtheestateofherhusband,or
(vi)
(b)fromhersonordaughterifany,orhisorherestateor
(c)fromherfatherinlaworhisfatherortheestateofeitherofthem
anywidowofhissonorofasonofhispredeceasedson,solongasshedoesnotremarry.

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(vii)
Therightwillcontinueprovidedandtotheextentthatsheisunabletoobtainmaintenancefromherhusbands
estate,orfromhersonordaughter,ifany,orhisorherestateorinthecaseofagrandsonswidow,alsofromher
fatherinlawsestate
(viii)

hisorherminorillegitimateson,solongasheremainsaminor

(ix)

hisorherillegitimatedaughter,solongassheremainsunmarried.

Section22(1)laysdownthatsubjecttotheprovisionsofthisSection,theheirsofadeceasedHinduareboundtomaintain
thedependantsofthedeceasedoutoftheestateinheritedbythemfromthedeceased.

AccordingtoSection22(2)Whereadependanthasnotobtained,bytestamentaryorintestatesuccession,anyshareinthe
estateofaHindudyingafterthecommencementofthisAct,thedependantshallbeentitled,subjecttotheprovisionsofthis
Act,tomaintenancefromthosewhotaketheestate.

Section22(3)providesthattheliabilityofeachofthepersonswhotakestheestateshallbeinproportiontothevalueofthe
shareorpartoftheestatetakenbyhimorher.

Section22(4)laysdownthatnotwithstandinganythingcontainedinSection22(2)orSection22(3),nopersonwhoishimself
orherselfadependantshallbeliabletocontributetothemaintenanceofothers,ifheorshehasobtainedashareorpart,the
valueofwhichis,orwould,iftheliabilitytocontributewereenforced,becomelessthanwhatwouldbeawardedtohimorher
bywayofmaintenanceunderthisAct.

Section23.Amountofmaintenance.

Section23laysdowntheconsiderationswhichtheCourtwilltakeintoaccountinfixingtheamountofmaintenance.

Section23(1)laysdownthatthefixationoftheamountofmaintenanceiswiththediscretionoftheCourt.Thediscretionmust
howeverbesoundandreasonableandmustbejudiciouslyexercised

Section23(2)laysdowntheprovisionindeterminingtheamountofmaintenance,ifany,tobeawardedtoawife,children
oragedorinfirmparentsunderthisAct,regardshallbehadto

1.thepositionandstatusoftheparties
2.thereasonablewantsoftheclaimant
3.iftheclaimantislivingseparately,whethertheclaimantisjustifiedindoingso
4.thevalueoftheclaimantspropertyandanyincomederivedfromsuchproperty,orfromtheclaimantsownearningsor
fromanyothersource
5.thenumberofpersonsentitledtomaintenanceunderthisAct.

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Indeterminingtheamountofmaintenance,ifany,tobeawardedtoadependantunderthisAct,Section23(3)laysdown
thefollowingconsiderations

1.thenetvalueoftheestateofthedeceasedafterprovidingforthepaymentofhisdebts
2.theprovision,ifany,madeunderawillofthedeceasedinrespectofthedependant
3.hedegreeofrelationshipbetweenthetwo
4.reasonablewantsofthedependant
5.thepastrelationsbetweenthedependantandthedeceased
6.thevalueofthepropertyofthedependantandanyincomederivedfromsuchpropertyorfromhisorherearningsor
fromanyothersource
7.thenumberofdependantsentitledtomaintenanceunderthisAct.

Section24.ClaimanttomaintenanceshouldbeaHindu.

NopersonshallbeentitledtoclaimmaintenanceunderthisChapterifheorshehasceasedtobeaHindubyconversionto
anotherreligion.

Section25.Amountofmaintenancemaybealteredonchangeofcircumstances.

Theamountofmaintenance,whetherfixedbyadecreeofcourtorbyagreement,eitherbeforeorafterthecommencementof
thisAct,maybealteredsubsequentlyifthereisamaterialchangeinthecircumstancesjustifyingsuchalteration.

Section27.Maintenancewhentobeacharge.

AdependantsclaimformaintenanceunderthisActshallnotbeachargeontheestateofthedeceasedoranyportion
thereof,unlessonehasbeencreatedbythewillofthedeceased,byadecreeofcourt,byagreementbetweenthedependant
andtheowneroftheestateorportion,orotherwise.

Section28.Effectoftransferofpropertyonrighttomaintenance.

Whereadependanthasarighttoreceivemaintenanceoutofanestate,andsuchestateoranypartthereofistransferred,the
righttoreceivemaintenancemaybeenforcedagainstthetransfereeifthetransfereehasnoticeoftherightorifthetransferis
gratuitousbutnotagainstthetransfereeforconsiderationandwithoutnoticeoftheright.

**

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