Section 97
Effect of words describing a class added to bequest to person.
The Indian Succession Act, 1925
About this Act
An Act to consolidate the law applicable to intestate and testamentary succession.
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,
to 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.
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,
to 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.