HINDU WOMEN’S RIGHT TO PROPERTY ACT, 1937: A CRITIQUE

Author – SHAURYA SHRESTHA AWASTHI, Student at National University of Study And Research In Law, Ranchi.

Best Citation – SHAURYA SHRESTHA AWASTHI, HINDU WOMEN’S RIGHT TO PROPERTY ACT, 1937: A CRITIQUE, ILE Family & Private Law Review, 1 (1) of 2023, Pg. 01-06, ISBN – 978-81-961120-8-0.

ABSTRACT

In the past, women were allowed to own property, but in reality, this was less common than for men, and the patriarchal system limited their ability to dispose of their property. One of the most significant laws that improved the status of women was the Hindu Women’s Right to Property Act of 1937. This was the earliest statute granting widows of deceased persons equal succession rights to the deceased’s sons. These privileges were only applicable in cases of intestate succession (when there is no will). The Hindu Women’s Right to Property Act of 1937 is regarded as a watershed moment in the history of women’s property rights. It made significant modifications to the law of succession by granting new succession rights to selected females. The main object of the Hindu women‟s rights to property act is to give fresh rights to Hindu women. The Researcher in the present Research Paper attempts to analyse the Hindu Women‟s Right To Property Act, 1937. Specifically, an attempt has been made to ascertain: the objective of the Hindu Women‟s Right To Property Act, 1937, changes effected by the said Act, lacunae in the Act.

KEYWORDS:property, inheritance, devolution of property, coparcener, intestate.