[2011] 4 S.C.R. 675

REVANASIDDAPPA AND ANR. v.

MALLIKARJUN AND ORS. (Civil Appeal No. 2844 of 2011

MARCH 31, 2011

[G.S. SINGHVI AND ASOK KUMAR GANGULY, JJ.]

Hindu Marriage Act, 1955:

s.16(3) - Right of illegitimate children in the coparcenary c property of their parents - Whether illegitimate children are entitled to a share in the coparcenary property or whether their share is limited only to the self-acquired property of their parents uls.16(3) - Held: s.16(3) makes it clear that a child of a void or voidable marriage can only claim rights to the 0 property of his parents, and no one else - The legislature has advisedly used the word "property" and has not qualified it with either self-acquired property or ancestral property - It has been kept broad and general - The issues relating to the extent of property rights conferred on such children u/s. 16(3) E of the amended Act were discussed in detail in the case of Jinia Keotin case wherein it was held that in the light of express mandate of the legislature itself, there is no room for according upon such children, who but for s. 16 would have been branded as illegitimate, any further rights than envisaged F therein by resorting to any presumptive or inferential process of reasoning, having recourse to the mere object or purpose of enacting s. 16 - Article 39 (f) must be kept in mind by the Court while interpreting the provision of' s. 16(3) of the Act - Apart from Article 39(f), Article 300A a/so comes into play while interpreting the concept of property rights - Supreme Court G in the case of * Jinia Keotin and Bharatha Matha took narrow view of s. 16(3) of the Act - Therefore, matter needs reconsideration and is referred to larger bench - Reference

675 H

A to larger bench - Hindu Law - Constitution of India, 1950 - Articles 300A, 39(f).

s. 16 - Status of illegitimate children and their right in property of their parents - Effect of amendment of s.16 -

8 Held: The amendment to s. 16 of the Act was introduced by Act 60 of 76 - With the amendment of s.16(3), the common law view that the offsprings of marriage which is void and voidable are illegitimate 'ipso-Jure' has changed completely - The status of such children which has been legislatively declared legitimate must be recognised and simultaneously C law recognises the rights of such children in the property of their parents - This is a law to advance the socially beneficial purpose of removing the stigma of illegitimacy on such children who are as innocent as any other children.

D Interpretation of statutes: Purposive interpretation - Held: Courts cannot interpret a socially beneficial legislation on the basis as if the words therein are cast in stone - Such legislation must be given a purposive interpretation to further and not to frustrate the eminently desirable social purpose - E Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 - s.16(3).

Constitution of India, 1950: Articles 300A, 39(f) - Held: Right to property is no longer fundamental but it is a Constitutional right and Article 300A contains a guarantee against deprivation of property right save by authority of law.

The question which arose for consideration in the instant appeal was whether illegitimate children are entitled to a share in the coparcenary property or whether their share is limited only to the self-acquired property of G their parents under Section 16(3) of the Hinau Marriage Act, 1955.

Referring the matter to Larger Bench, the Court

HELD: 1.1. Section 16(3) of the Hindu Marriage Act, H 1955 makes it very clear that a child of a void or voidable

• REVANASIDDAPPA AND ANR. v. MALLIKARJ.UN 677

AND ORS.

marriage can only claim rights to the property of his A parents, and no one else. However, the legislature has advisedly used the word "property" and has not qualified it with either self-acquired property or ancestral property.

It has been kept broad and general. The issues relating to the extent of property rights conferred on such B children under Section 16(3) of the amended Act were discussed in detail in the case of Jinia Keotin case. It was held in that case that in the light of an express mandate of the legislature itself, there is no room for according upon such children, who but for Section 16 would have c been branded as illegitimate, any further rights than envisaged therein by resorting to any presumptive or

inferential process of reasoning, having recourse to the mere object or purpose of enacting Section 16 of the Act.

Any attempt to do so would amount to doing not only 0 violence to the provision specifically engrafted in subsection (3) of Section 16 of the Act but also would attempt to court relegislating on the subject under the guise of interpretation, against even the will expressed in the enactment itself. This Court in *Jinia Keotin case took narrow view of Section 16(3) of the Act. [Paras 13, 21, 22] E

[685-F; 688-8-G]

*Jinia Keotin & Ors. v. Kumar Sitaram Manjhi & Ors.

(2003) 1 sec 730 - referred to.

1.2. The legislature has used the word "property" in Section 16(3) and is silent on whether such property is meant to be ancestral or self-acquired. A careful reading

of Section 16(3) of the Act would show that the amended Section postulates that such children would not be entitled to any rights in the property of any person who G is not his parent if he was not entitled to them, by virtue of his illegitimacy, before the passing of the amendment.

However, the said prohibition does not apply to the property of his parents. Clauses (1) and (2) of Section 16 expressly declare that such children shall be legitimate.

A If they have been declared legitimate, then they cannot be discriminated against and they will be at par with other legitimate children, and be entitled to all the rights in the property of their parents, both self-acquired and ancestral. The prohibition contained in Section 16(3) B would apply to such children with respect to property of any person other than their parents. [Paras 25, 26) [689-

C-F]

2. With changing secial norms of legitimacy in every society, what was illegitimate in the past may be C legitimate today. The concept of legitimacy stems from social consensus, in the shaping of which various social groups play a vital role. Very often a dominant group loses its primacy over other groups in view of ever changing socio-economic scenario and the D consequential vicissitudes in human relationship. Law takes its own time to articulate such social changes through a process of amendment. That is why in a changing society, law cannot afford to remain static. If one looks at the history of development of Hindu Law, it will E be clear that it was never static and has changed from time to time to meet the challenges of the changing social pattern in different time. [Para 27] [689-G-H; 690-A-B]

Smt. Sarojamma & Ors. v. Smt. Nee/amma & Ors., ILR F 2005 Kar 3293; Sri Kenchegowda v. K.B. Krishnappa & Ors.,

ILR 2008 Kar 3453; Kamulammal (deceased} represented by Kattari Nagaya Kamarajendra Ramasami Pandiya Naicker v. T.B.K. Visvanathaswami Naicker (deceased) & Ors., AIR 1923 PC 8; P.M.A.M. Vel/aiyappa Chetty & Ors. v.

G Natarajan & Anr., AIR 1931 PC 294; Raja Jogendra Bhupati Hurri Chundun Mahapatra v. Nityanund Mansingh & Anr., 1889-90 Indian Appeals 128; Gur Narain Das & Anr. v. Gur Taha/ Das & Ors., AIR 1952 SC 225; Singhai Ajit Kumar & Anr. v. Ujayar Singh & Ors., AIR 1961 SC 1334; Neelamma H & Ors. v. Sarojamma & Ors. (2006) 9 SCC 612; Bharatha

REVANASIDDAPPA AND ANR. v. MALLIKARJUN 679

AND ORS.

Matha & Anr. v. R. Vijaya Renganathan & Ors. AIR 2010 SC A 2685 - referred to.

3. The amendment to Section 16 of the Hindu Marriage Act was introduced by Act 60 of 76. This amendment virtually substituted the previous Section 16 8 of the Act with the present Section. From the relevant notes appended in the clause relating to this amendment, it appears that the same was done to remove difficulties in the interpretation of Section 16. With the amendment of Section 16(3), the common law view that the offsprings of marriage which is void and voidable are illegitimate C 'ipso-jure' has to change completely. The status of such children which has been legislatively declared legitimate must be recognised and simultaneously law recognises the rights of such children in the property of their parents.

This is a law to advance the socially beneficial purpose D of removing the stigma of illegitimacy on such children who are as innocent as any other children. However, one thing must be made clear that benefit given under the amended Section 16 is available only in cases where there is a marriage but such marriage is void or voidable E in view of the provisions of the Act. In the case of joint family property such children will be entitled only to a share in their parents' property but they cannot claim it on their own right. Logically, on the partition of an ancestral property, the property falling in the share of the F parents of such children is regarded as their self acquired and absolute property. In view of the amendment, there is no reason why such children will have no share in such property since such children are equated under the amended law with legitimate offspring G of valid marriage. The only limitation even after the amendment seems to be that during the life time of their parents such children cannot ask for partition but they can exercise this right only after the death of their parents. [Paras 29, 33-35] [690-D-E; 691-D-H; 692-A] H

SUPREME COURT REPORTS

(2011] 4 S.C.R.

A Parayankandiya/ Eravath Kanapravan Kal/iani Amma (Smt.) & Ors. v. K. Devi and Ors. (1996) 4 SCC 76 - referred to.

4. The Court has to remember that relationship

8 between the parents may not be sanctioned by law but the birth of a child in such relationship has to be viewed independently of the relationship of the parents. A child born in such relationship is innocent and is entitled to all the rights which are given to other children born in valid marriage. This is the crux of the amendment in Section C 16(3). However, some limitation on the property rights of such children is still there in the sense their right is confined to the property of their parents. Such rights cannot be further restricted in view. [Para 36] [692-C-D]

 D

5. It is well known that this Court cannot interpret a socially beneficial legislation on the basis as if the words therein are cast in stone. Such legislation must be given a purposive interpretation to further and not to frustrate the eminently desirable social purpose of removing the E stigma on such children. In doing so, the Court must have regard to the equity of the Statute and the principles voiced under Part IV of the Constitution, namely, the Directive Principles of State Policy. This flows from the mandate of Article 37 which provides that it is the duty F of the State to apply the principles enshrined in Chapter

IV in making laws. It is no longer in dispute that today State would include the higher judiciary in this country.

Article 39 (f) must be kept in mind by the Court while interpreting the provision of Section 16(3) of Hindu G Marriage Act. Apart from Article 39(f), Article 300A also comes into play while interpreting the concept of property rights. Right to property is no longer fundamental but it is a Constitutional right and Article 300A contains a guarantee against deprivation of property right save by authority of law. In the instant case, Section 16(3) as H

• REVANASIDDAPPA AND ANR. v. MALLIKARJUN 681

AND ORS.

amended, does not impose any restriction on the property A right of such children except limiting it to the property of their parents. Therefore, such children will have a right to whatever becomes the property of their parents whether self acquired or ancestral. For the said reasons, this Court is constrained to take view different from the B one taken in Jinia Keotin and Bhartha Matha on Section 16(3) of the Act. [Para 37 to 42] [692-E-H; 693-8, G-H; 694-

AC]

Kesavananda Bharati Sripadagalvaru v. State of Kera/a C and another (1973) 4 sec 225 - referred to.

Case Law Reference:

ILR 2005 Kar 3293 referred to Para 6, 24, 32, 42

ILR 2008 Kar 3453 referred to Para 9 D

AIR 1923 PC 8 referred to Para 15

AIR 1931 PC 294 referred to Para 16, 18, 19

1889-90 I A 128 referred to Para 17, 19 E

AIR 1952 SC 225 referred to Para 18

AIR 1961 SC 1334 referred to Para 19

[(2003) 1 sec 730 referred to Para 21, F 22,23,24,32,36,42

(2006) 9 sec 612 referred to Para 22

AIR 2010 SC 2685 referred to Para 23, 24,32,36,42

(1996) 4 sec 76 referred to Para 29 G

(1973) 4 sec 22s referred to Para 37

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Civil Appeal No. 2844 of 2011.

A From the Judgment & Order dated 07.11.2008 of the High Court of Karnataka, Circuit Bench at Gulbarga in R.S.A. No.

550 of 2006.

Kiran Suri, S.J. Smith for the Appellants.

B Basava Prabhu S. Patil, V.N. Raghupathy for the

Respondents.

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

GANGULY, J. 1. Leave granted.

2. The first defendant had two wivesthe third plaintiff (the first wife) and the fourth defendant (the second wife). The first defendant had two children from the first wife, the third plaintiff, namely, the first and second plaintiffs; and another two children D from his second wife, the fourth defendant namely, the second and third defendant.

3. The plaintiffs (first wife and her two children) had filed a suit for partition and separate possession against the E defendants for their 1/4th share each with respect to ancestral property which had been given to the first defendant by way of grant. The plaintiffs contended that the first defendant had married the fourth defendant while his first marriage was subsisting and, therefore, the children born in the said second F marriage would not be entitled to any share in the ancestral property of the first defendant as they were not coparceners.

4. However, the defendants contended that the properties were not ancestral properties at all but were self-acquired

properties, except for one property which was ancestral.

G Further, the first defendant also contended that it was the fourth defendant who was his legally wedded wife, and not the third plaintiff and that the plaintiffs had no right to claim partition.

Further, the first defendant also alleged that an oral partition had already taken place earlier.

• REVANASIDDAPPA AND ANR. v. MALLIKARJUN 683

AND ORS. [ASOK KUMAR GANGULY. J.]

5. The Triai Court, by its judgment and order dated A 28.7.2005, held that the first defendant had not been able to prove oral partition nor that he had divorced the third plaintiff.

The second marriage of the first defendant with the fourth defendant was found to be void. as it had been conducted while his first marriage was still legally subsisting. Thus, the Trial Court B held that the third plaintiff was the legally wedded wife of the first defendant and thus was entitled to claim partition. Further, the properties were not self-acquired but ancestral properties and, therefore, the plaintiffs were entitled to claim partition of the suit properties. The plaintiffs and the first defendant were c held entitled to 1/4th share each in all the suit properties.

6. Aggrieved, the defendants filed an appeal against the judgment of the Trial Court. The First Appellate Court, vide order dated 23.11.2005, re-appreciated the entire evidence on . record and affirmed the findings of the Trial Court that the suit D properties were ancestral properties and that the third plaintiff was the legally wedded wife of the first defendant, whose marriage with the fourth defendant was void and thus children from such marriage were illegitimate. However, the Appellate Court reversed the findings of the Trial Court that illegitimate E children had no right to a share in the coparcenary property by relying on a judgment of the Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court in Smt. Sarojamma & Ors. v. Smt. Neelamma & Ors., [ILR 2.005 Kar 3293]. ·

7. The Appellate Court held that children born from a void marriage were to be treated at par with coparceners and they were also entitled to the joint family properties of the first defendant. Accordingly, the Appellate Court held that the plaintiffs, along with the first, second and third defendants were G entitled to equal share of 1/6th each in the ancestral properties.

8. The plaintiffs, being aggrieved by the said judgment of the Appellate Court, preferred a second appeal before the High Court of Karnataka. The substantial questions of law before the High Court were: H

"a) Whether the illegitimate children born out of void marriage are regarded as coparceners by virtue of the amendment to the Hindu Marriage Act, 1956?

b) At a partition between the coparceners whether they are entitled to a share in the said properties?"

9. The High Court stated that the said questions were no more res integra and had been considered in the judgment of Sri Kenchegowda v. K.B. Krishnappa & Ors., [ILR 2008 Kar 3453]. It observed that both the lower courts had concurrently C concluded that the fourth defendant was the second wife of the first defendant. Therefore, the second and third defendants were illegitimate children from a void marriage. Section 16(3) of the Hindu Marriage Act makes it clear that illegitimate children only had the right to the property of their parents and D no one else. As the first and second plaintiffs were the legitimate children of the first defendant they constituted a coparcenary and were entitled to the suit properties, which were coparcenary properties. They also had a right to claim partition against the other coparcener and thus their suit for partition E against the first defendant was maintainable. However, the second and third defendants were not entitled to a share of the coparcenary property by birth but were only entitled to the separate property of their father, the first defendant. The High Court observed that upon partition, when the first defendant got F his share on partition, then the second and third defendants

would be entitled to such share on his dying intestate, but during his lifetime they would have no right to the said property. Hence, the High Court allowed the appeal and held th.at the first plaintiff, second plaintiff and the first defendant would be entitled to 1 / 3rd share each in the suit properties. The claim of the third G plaintiff and the second, third and fourth defendants in the suit property was rejected.

10. As a result, the second and third defendants (present appellants) filed the present appeal.

• . REVANASIDDAPPA AND ANR ' v. MALLIKARJUN 685 '

1;. AND ORS. [ASOK KUMAR; GANGULY, J.]

11. The question which crops up .in the facts of this case A is whether illegitimate children are entitled to a share in the coparcenary property or whether thir share is limited only to the self-acquired property of their parents under Section 16(3) of the Hindu Marriage Act? 8

12. Section 16(3) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 reads as follows:

"16. Legitimacy of children of void and voidable marriages-

(1) )()()(

(2) )()()(

(3) Nothing contained in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be construed as conferring upon any child of a D marriage which is null and void or which is annulled by a decree of nullity under section 12, any rights in or to the property of any person, other than the parents, in any case where, but, for the passing of this Act, such child would have been inc9pable of possessing or acquiring any such rights E by r.eason of his not !being the legitimate child of his

parent~. , ; . j:

I.I • ; . . . ·

 I • , . . •

13. Thus'. the ab

1 ov entloned section makes .it very clear that a child of a void or Joidatile marriage can only claim rights F to the property of his parents, and no one else. However, we find it interesting to note that the legislature has advisedly used the word "property" and has not qualified it with either selfacquired property or ancestral property. It has been kept broad and general.

 14. Prior to enactment of Section 16(3) of the Act, the question whether child of a void or voidable marriage is entitled to self-acquired property or ancestral property of his parents Was discussed in a icatena of cases. The property rights of

\ ' ' .... } ,. ' _; ..

A illegitimate children to their father's property were recognized in the cases of Sudras to some extent.

15. In Kamulamma/ (deceased) represented by Kattari Nagaya Kamarajendra Ramasami Pandiya Naicker v. T.B.K.

Visvanathaswami Naicker (deceased) & Ors., [AIR 1923 PC 8 8], the Privy Council held when a Sudra had died leaving behind an illegitimate son, a daughter, his w11'e and certain collateral agnates, both the illegitimate son and his wife would be entitled to an equal share in his property. The illegitimate son would be entitled to one-half of what he would be entitled had he been a C legitimate issue. An illegitimate child of a Sudra born from a slave or a permanently kept concubine is entitled to share in his father's property, along with the legitimate children.

16. In P.M.A.M. Ve!laiyappa Chetty & Ors. v. Natarajan D & Anr., [AIR 1931 PC 294], it was held that the illegitimate son of a Sudra from a permanent concubine has the status of a son and a member of the family and share of inheritance given to him is not merely in lieu of maintenance, but as a recognition of his status as a son; that where the father had left no separate E property and no legitimate son, but was joint with his collaterals, the illegitimate son was not entitled to demand a partition of the joint family property, but was entitled to maintenance out of that property. Sir Dinshaw Mulla, speaking for the Bench, observed that though such illegitimate son was a member of F the family, yet he had limited rights compared to a son born in a wedlock, and he had no right by birth. During the lifetime of the father, he could take only suc_h share as his father may give him, but after his death he could claim his father's self-acquired property along with the legitimate sons.

17. In Raja Jogendra Bhupati Hurri Chundun Mahapatra

v. Nityanund Mansingh & Anr., [1889-90 Indian Appeals 128], the facts were that the Raja was a Sudra and died leaving behind a legitimate son, an illegitimate son and a legitimate daughter and three widows. The legitimate son had died and H the issue was whether the illegitimate son could succeed to the

• REVANASIDDAPPA AND ANR. v. MALLIKARJUN 687

'" AND ORS. [ASOK KUMAR GANGULY, J.]

propefty of the Raja. The Privy Council held that the illegitimate A son was entitled to succeed to the Raja by virtue of survivorship.

18. In Gur Narain Das & Anr. v. Gur Taha/ Das & Ors., [AIR 1952 SC 225), a Bench comprising Justice Fazl Ali and B Justice Bose agreed with the principle laid down in the case 'of Vel/aiyappa Chetty (supra) and supplemented the same by stating certain well-settled principles to the effect that "firstly, that the illegitimate son does not acquire by birth any interest in his father's estate and he cannot therefore demand partition against his father during the latter's lifetime. But on his father's C death, the illegitimate son succeeds as a coparcener to the separate estate of the father along with the legitimate son(s) with a right of survivorship and is entitled to enforce partition against the legitimate son(s) and that on a partition between a legitimate and an illegitimate son, the illegitimate son takes D only one-half of what he would have taken if he was a legitimate son." However, the Bench was referring to those cases where the illegitimate son was of a Sudra from a continuous concubine.

P" E

19. In the case of Singhai Ajit Kumar & Anr. v. Ujayar Singh & Ors., [AIR 1961 SC 1334), the main question was whether an illegitimate son of a Sudra vis-a-vis his self-acquired property, after having succeeded to half-share of his putative father's estate, would be entitled to succeed to the other half share got by the widow. The Bench referred to Chapter 1, Section 12 of the Yajnavalkya and the cases of Raja Jogendra Bhupati (supra) and Vellaiyappa Chetty (supra) and concluded that "once it is established that for the purpose of succesion

an illegitimate son of a Sudra has the status of a son and that G he is entitled to succeed to his putative father's entire selfacquired property in the absence of a son, widow, daughter or daughter's son and to share along with them, we cannot see any escape from the consequential and logical position that he shall be entitled to succeed to the other half share when succession opens after the widow's death." H

20. The amendment to Section 16 has been introduced and was brought about with the obvious purpose of removing the stigma of illegitimacy on children born in void or voidable marriage (hereinafter, "such children").

21. However, the issues relating to the extent of property rights conferred on such children under Section 16(3) of the amended Act were discussed in detail in the case of Jinia Keotin & Ors. v. Kumar Sitaram Manjhi & Ors. [(2003) 1 SCC 730]. It was contended that by virtue of Section 16(3) of the Act, which entitled such children's rights to the property of their C parents, such property rights included nght to both self-acquired as well as ancestral property of the parent. This Court, repelling such contentions held that "in the light of such an express mandate of the legislature itself, there is no room for according upon such children who but for Section 16 would have been D branded as illegitimate any further rights than envisaged therein by resorting to any presumptive or inferential process of reasoning, having recourse to the mere object or purpose of enacting Section 16 of the Act. Any attempt to do so would amount to doing not only violence to the provision specifically E engrafted in sub-section (3) of Section 16 of the Act but also

would attempt to court relegislating on the subject under the guise of interpretation, against even the will expressed in the enactment itself." Thus, the submissions of the appellants were rejected.

22. In our humble opinion this Court in Jinia Keotin (supra) took a narrow view of Section 16(3) of the Act. The same issue was again raised in Neelamma & Ors. v. Sarojamma & Ors. ((2006) 9 sec 612], wherein the court referred to the decision G in Jinia Keotin (supra) and held that illegitimate children would only be entitled to a share of the self-acquired property of the parents and not to the joint Hindu family property.

23. Same position was again reiterated in a recent decision of this court in Bharatha Matha & Anr. v. R. Vijaya H Renganathan & Ors. [AIR 2010 SC 2685], wherein this Court

• REVANASIDDAPPA AND ANR. v. MALLIKARJUN 689

AND ORS. [ASOK KUMAR GANGULY, J.]

held that a child born in a void or voidable marriage was not

A· entitled to claim inheritance in ancestral coparcenary property but was entitled to claim only share in self-acquired properties.

24. We cannot accept the aforesaid interpretation of Section 16(3) given in Jinia Keotin (supra), Nee/amma (supra) 8 and Bharatha Matha (supra) for the reasons discussed hereunder:

25. The legislature has used the word "property" in Section 16(3) and is silent on whether such property is meant to be ancestral or self-acquired. Section 16 contains an express C mandate that such children are only entitled to the property of their parents, and not of any other relation.

26. On a careful reading of Section 16 (3) of the Act we are of the view that the amended Section postulates that such D children would not be entitled to any rights in the property of any person who is not his parent if he was not entitled to them, by virtue of his illegitimacy, before the passing of the amendment. However, the said prohibition does not apply to the property of his parents. Clauses (1) and (2) of Section 16 E expressly declare that such children shall be legitimate. If they have been declared legitimate, then they cannot be discriminated against and they will be at par with other

legitimate children, and be entitled to all the rights in the property of their parents, both self-acquired and ancestral. The prohibition contained in Section 16(3) will apply to such children with respect to property of any person other than their parents.

27. With changing social norms of legitimacy in every society, including ours, what was illegitimate in the pst may

be legitimate today. The concept of legitimacy stems from G social consensus, in the shaping of which various social groups play a vital role. Very often a dominant group loses its primacy over other groups in view of ever changing socio-economic scenario and the consequential vicissitudes in human relationship. Law takes its own time to articulate such social H

A changes through a process of amendment. That is why in a changing society law cannot afford to remain static. If one looks at the history of development of Hindu Law it will be clear that it was never static and has changed from time to time to meet the challenges of the changing social pattern in different time.

28. The amendment to Section 16 of the Hindu Marriage Act was introduced by Act 60 of 76. This amendment virtually substituted the previous Section 16 of the Act with the present Section. From the relevant notes appended in the clause relating to this amendment, it appears that the same was done C to remove difficulties in the interpretation of Section 16.

29. The constitutional validity of Section 16(3) of Hindu Marriage Act was challenged before this Court and upholding the law, this Court in Parayankandiyal Eravath Kanapravan D Kalliani Amma (Smt.) & Ors. v. K. Devi and Ors., ((1996) 4

SCC 76], held that Hindu Marriage Act, a beneficial legislation, has to be interpreted in a manner which advances the object of the legislation. This Court also recognized that the said Act intends to bring about social reforms and further held that E conferment of social status of legitimacy on innocent children is the obvious purpose of Section 16 (See para 68).

30. In paragraph 75, page 101 of the report, the learned judges held that Section 16 was previously linked with Sections 11 and 12 in view of the unamended language of Section 16.

F But after amendment, Section 16(1) stands de-linked from

Section 11 and Section 16(1) which confers legitimacy on children born from void marriages operates with full vigour even though provisions of Section 11 nullify those marriages. Such legitimacy .has been conferred on the children whether they G were/are born in void or voidable marriage before or after the date of amendment.

31. In paragraph 82 at page 103 of the report, the learned Judges made the following observations:

REVANASIDDAPPA AND ANR. v. MALLIKARJUN 691

AND ORS. [ASOK KUMAR GANGULY, J.]

"In view of the legal fiction contained in Section 16, the A illegitimate children, for all practical purposes, including succession to the properties of their parents, have to be treated as legitimate. They cannot, however, succeed to the properties of any other relation on the basis of this rule, which in its operation, is limited to the properties of the 13 parents."

32. It has been held in Parayankandiyal (supra) that Hindu Marriage Act is a beneficent legislation and intends to bring about social reforms. Therefore, the interpretation given to Section 16(3) by this Court in Jinia Keotin (supra), Neelamma C

(supra) and Bharatha Matha (supra) needs to be reconsidered.

33. With the amendment of Section 16(3), the common law viE. N that the offsprings of marriage which is void and voidable are illegitimate 'ipso-jure' has to change completely. We must o recognize the status of such children which has been legislatively declared legitimate and simultaneously law recognises the rights of such children in the property of their parents. This is a law to advance the socially beneficial purpose of removing the stigma of illegitimacy on such children who are E as innocent as any other children.

34. However, one thing must be made clear that benefit given under the amended Section 16 is available only in cases where there is a marriage but such marriage is void or voidable in view of the provisions of the Act.

35. In our view, in the case of joint family property such children will be entitled only to a share in their parents' property

but they cannot claim it on their own right. Logically, on the partition of an ancestral property, the property falling in the share G of the parents of such children is regarded as their self acquired and absolute property. In view of the amendment, we see no reason why such children will have no share in such property since such children are equated under the amended law with legitimate offspring of valid marriage. The only limitation . H

A even after the amendment seems to be that during the life time of their parents such children cannot ask for partition but they can exercise this right only after the death of their parents.

36. We are constrained to differ from the interpretation of Section 16(3) rendered by this Court in Jinia Keotin (supra) 8 and, thereafter, in Nee/amma (supra) and Bharatha Matha

(supra) in view of the constitutional values enshrined in the preamble of our Constitution which focuses on the concept of equality of status and opportunity and also on individual dignity.

The Court has to remember that relationship between the C parents may not be sanctioned by law but the birth of a child in such relationship has to be viewed independently of the relationship of the parents. A child born in such relationship is innocent and is entitled to all the rights which are given to other children born in valid marriage. This is the crux of the D amendment in Section 16(3). However, some limitation on the property rights of such children is still there in the sense their right is confined to the property of their parents. Such rights cannot be further restricted in view of the pe-existing common law view discussed above.

37. It is well known that this Court cannot .:iterpr0t a socially beneficial legislation on the basis as if the words therein are cast in stone. Such legislation must be given a purposive interpretation to further and not to frustrate the eminently F desirable social purpose of removing the stigma on such

children. In doing so, the Court must have regard to the equity of the Statute and the principles voiced under Part IV of the Constitution, namely, the Directive Principles of State Policy.

In our view this flows from the mandate of Artiele 37 which provides that it is the duty of the State to apply the principles G enshrined in Chapter IV in making laws. It is no longer in dispute that today State would include the higher judiciary in this country.

Considering Article 37 in the context of the duty of judiciary, Justice Mathew in Kesavananda Bharati Sripadaga/varu v.

State of Kera/a and another [(1973) 4 SCC 225] held: H

• REVANASiDDAPPA AND ANR. v MAL LIKARJUN 693 AND ORS. [1), SOK KU'/, f'-1R GANGUl_Y, J.]

 ...... I can see no incongruity in holding. when Article 37 A says in its latter part "it shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws , that judicial process is 'State action' and that the judiciary is bound to apply the Directive Principles in making its judgment."

38. Going by this principle, we are of the opinion that Article 39 (f) must be kept in mind by the Court while interpreting the provision of Section 16(3) of Hindu Marriage Act. Article 39(f) of the Constitution runs as follows:

"39 Certain principles of policy to be followed by the C State: The State shall, in particular, direct its policy towards sec,; ring-

(a) xxx ·

(b) xxx

(c) xxx

(d) xxx

(e) xxx

(f) that children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity and that childhood and youth

are protected against exploitation and against F moral and material abandonment."

39. Apart from Article 39(f), Article 300A also comes into play while interpreting the concept of property rights. Article 300A is as follows:

"300A. Persons not to be deprived of property save by authority of law: No person shall be deprived of his property save by authority of law."

40. Right to property is no longer fundamental but it is a H

A Constitutional right and Article 300A contains a guarantee against deprivation of property right save by authority of law.

41. In the instant case, Section 16(3) as amended, does not impose any restriction on the property right of such children B except limiting it to the property of their parents. Therefore, such

children will have a right to whatever becomes the property of their parents whether self acquired or ancestral.

42. For the reasons discussed above, we are constrained to take a view different from the one taken by this Court in Jinia C Keotin (supra), Neelamma (supra) and Bharatha Matha

(supra) on Section 16(3) of the Act.

43. We are, therefore, of the opinion that the matter should be reconsidered by a larger Bench and for that purpose the o records of the case be placed before the Hun'ble the Chief Justice of India for constitution of a larger Bench.

D.G.

Matter referred to Larger Bench.