The Indian Succession Act, 1925

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 had 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. 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), and 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 suchmanner 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 sale 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 a Hindu, Muhammad an, Buddhist, Sikh or Jaina or an exempted person, the general power conferred by sub-section (1) shall be subject to the following restrictions and conditions, namely:-

(i) The power of an executor to dispose of immovable property so vested in him is subject to any restriction which may be imposed in this behalf by the Will appointing him, unless probate has been granted to him and the Court which granted the probate permits him by an order in writing, notwithstanding the restriction, to dispose of any immovable property specified in the order in a manner permitted by the order.

(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 immovable 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, nor shall the absence of such an endorsement or annexure authorise an executor or administrator to act otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this section.

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 movable or immovable.

(iv) One has power to assent to a legacy.

(v) One has power to endorse a promissory note payable to the deceased.

(vi) The Will appoints A, B, C and D to be executors, and directs that two of them shall be a quorum. No act can be done by a single executor.

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.

Back

Index

Next