Transfer of Property Act, 1882
127. Onerous gifts
Where a gift in the form of a single transfer to the same person
of several things of which one is, and the others are not burdened by an
obligation, the donee can take nothing by the gift unless he accepts it fully.
Where a gift is in the form of two or more separate and
independent transfers to the same person of several things, the donee is at
liberty to accept one of them and refuse the others, although the former may be
beneficial and the latter onerous.
Onerous gift to disqualified person: A donee not competent
to contract and accepting property burdened by any obligation is not bound by
his acceptance. But if, after becoming competent to contract and being aware of
the obligation, he retains the property given, he becomes so bound.
Illustrations
(a) A has shares in X, a prosperous joint stock company, and
also shares in Y, a joint stock company in difficulties. Heavy calls are
expected in respect of the shares in Y. A gives B all his shares in joint stock
companies. B refuses to accept the shares in Y. He cannot take the shares in X.
(b) 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
more than the house can be let for, gives to B the lease, and also, as a
separate and independent transaction, a sum of money. B refuses to accept the
lease. He does not by this refusal forfeit the money.