Indian Trust Act 1882
Indian Trust Act 1882
Indian Trust Act 1882
An Act to define and amend the law relating to Private Trusts and
Trustees.
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
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1 The Act has been extended to Berar by the Berar Laws Act, 1941 (4
of 1941). Extended to and brought into force in Dadra and Nagar Havoli (w.e.f.
1.7.1965) by Reg. 6 of 1963, s.2 and Sch.I Extended to Goa, Daman and Diu by Re. 11 of
1963, s. 3 and Sch. The Act comes into force in Pondicherry on 1.10.1963 vide Reg. 7 of
1963, s. 3 and Sch. I. The Act shall come into force in the State of Sikkim on 1.9.1984 vide
Notifn. No.S.O.642(E), dt.24.8.1984 Gaz. of India, Exty, pt. II Sec.3
(ii).
2 Subs. by the A. O. 1948 for the original words as amended by the
A. O. 1937.
3 Subs. by the A. O. 1950 for "all the Provinces of India, except".
"registered":
"notice":
CHAPTER II
OF THE CREATION OF TRUSTS
Illustrations
(a) A conveys property to B in trust to apply the profits to the
nurture of female foundlings to be trained up as prostitutes. The
trust is void.
(b) A bequeaths property to B in trust to employ it in carrying
on a smuggling business, and out of the profits thereof to support A's
children. The trust is void.
(c) A, while in insolvent circumstances, transfers property to B
in trust for A during his life, and after his death for B. A is
declared an insolvent. The trust for A is invalid as against his
creditors.
Illustrations
(a) A bequeaths certain property to B, "having the fullest
confidence that he will dispose of it for the benefit of" C. This
creates a trust so far as regards A and C.
(b) A bequeaths certain property to B "hoping he will continue it
in the family". This does not create a trust, as the beneficiary is
not indicated with reasonable certainty.
(c) A bequeaths certain property to B, requesting him to
distribute it among such members of C's family as B should think most
deserving. This does not create a trust, for the beneficiaries are not
Acceptance of trust.
marginal heading. A trust is accepted by any words or acts
of the trustee indicating with reasonable certainty such acceptance.
Disclaimer of trust.
marginal heading. Instead of accepting a trust, the intended
trustee may, within a
reasonable period, disclaim it, and such disclaimer shall prevent the
trust-property from vesting in him.
Illustrations
(a) A bequeaths certain property to B and C, his executors, as
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1 See s. 11 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 (9 of 1872).
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CHAPTER III
OF THE DUTIES AND LIABILITIES OF TRUSTEES
Illustrations
(a) A, a trustee, is simply authorized to sell certain land by
public auction. He cannot sell the land by private contract.
(b) A, a trustee of certain land for X, Y and Z, is authorized to
sell the land to B for a specified sum. X, Y and Z, being competent to
contract, consent that A may sell the land to C for a less sum. A may
sell the land accordingly.
(c) A, a trustee for B and her children, is directed by the
author of the trust to lend, on B's request, trust-property to B's
husband, C, on the security of his bond. C becomes insolvent and B
requests A to make the loan. A may refuse to make it.
Illustrations
(a) The trust-property is a debt outstanding on personal
security. The instrument of trust gives the trustee no discretionary
power to leave the debt so outstanding. The trustee's duty is to recover the debt without
unnecessary delay.
(b) The trust-property is money in the hands of one of two co-
trustees. No discretionary power is given by the instrument of trust.
The other co-trustee must not allow the former to retain the money for
a longer period than the circumstances of the case required.
Illustration
The trust-property is immoveable property which has been given to
the author of the trust by an unregistered instrument. Subject to the
provisions of the Indian Registration Act, 1877 (3 of 1877), 1* the
trustee's duty is to cause the instrument to be registered.
Illustrations
(a) A, living in Calcutta, is a trustee for B, living in Bombay.
A remits trust-funds to B by bills drawn by a person of undoubted
credit in favour of the trustee as such, and payable at Bombay. The
bills are dishonoured. A is not bound to make good the loss.
(b) A, a trustee of leasehold property, directs the tenant to pay
the rents on account of the trust to a banker. B, then in credit. The
rents are accordingly paid to B, and A leaves the money with B only
till wanted. Before the money is drawn out, B becomes insolvent. A,
having had no reason to believe that B was in insolvent circumstances,
is not bound to make good the loss.
(c) A, a trustee of two debts for B, releases one and compounds
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1 See now the Indian Registration Act, 1908 (16 of 1908),
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Illustrations
(a) A bequeaths to B all his property in trust for C during his
life, and on his death for D, and on D's death for E. A's property
consists of three leasehold houses, and there is nothing in A's will
to show that he intended the houses to be enjoyed in specie. B should
sell the houses, and invest the proceeds in accordance with section
20.
(b) A bequeaths to B his three leasehold houses in Calcutta and
all the furniture therein in trust for C during his life, and on his
death for D, and on D's death for E. Here an intention that the houses
and furniture should be enjoyed in specie appears clearly, and B
should not sell them.
Illustration
A, a trustee for B, C and D, is empowered to choose between
several specified modes of investing the trust-property. A in good
faith chooses one of these modes. The Court will not interfere,
although the result of the choice may be to vary the relative rights
of B, C and D.
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1 Ins. by Act 1 of 1916, s. 2.
2 Subs. by the A. O. 1950 for "which may at any time hereafter be".
3 Ins. by the A. O. 1950.
4 Ins. by the A. O. 1937.
5 Subs. by the A. O. 1950 for "may be".
6 Ins. by Act 21 of 1917, s. 2.
7 Subs. by Act 37 of 1925, s. 2 and Sch. I, for "Central".
Illustration
A bequeaths property to B, directing him with all convenient
speed and within five years to sell it, and apply the proceeds for the
benefit of C. In the exercise of reasonable discretion, B postpones
the sale for six years. The sale is not thereby rendered invalid, but
C, alleging that he has been injured by the postponement, institutes a
suit against B to obtain compensation. In such suit the burden of
proving that C has not been injured lies on B.
Illustrations
(a) A trustee improperly leaves trust-property outstanding, and
it is consequently lost: he is liable to make good the property lost,
but he is not liable to pay interest thereon.
(b) A bequeaths a house to B in trust to sell it and pay the
proceeds to C. B neglects to sell the house for a great length of
time, whereby the house is deteriorated and its market price falls. B
is answerable to C for the loss.
(c) A trustee is guilty of unreasonable delay in investing trust-
money in accordance with section 20, or in paying it to the
beneficiary. The trustee is liable to pay interest thereon for the
period of the delay.
(d) The duty of the trustee is to invest trust-money in any of
the securities mentioned in section 20, clause (a), (b), (c) or (d).
Instead of so doing, he retains the money in his hands. He is liable,
at the option of the beneficiary, to be charged either with the amount
of the principal money and interest, or with the amount of such
securities as he might have purchased with the trust-money when the
investment should have been made, and the intermediate dividends and
interest thereon.
(e) The instrument of trust directs the trustee to invest trust-
money either in any of such securities or on mortgage of immoveable
property. The trustee does neither. He is liable for the principal
money and interest.
(f) The instrument of trust directs the trustee to invest trust-
money in any of such securities and to accumulate the dividends
thereon. The trustee disregards the direction. He is liable, at the
option of the beneficiary, to be charged either with the amount of the
principal money and compound interest, or with the amount of such
securities as he might have purchased with the trust-money when the
investment should have been made, together with the amount of the
accumulation which would have arisen from a proper investment of the
intermediate dividends.
(g) Trust-property is invested in one of the securities mentioned
in section 20, clause (a), (b), (c) or (d). The trustee sells such
security for some purpose not authorized by the terms of the
instrument of trust. He is liable, at the option of the beneficiary,
either to replace the security with the intermediate dividends and
interest thereon, or to account for the proceeds of the sale with
interest thereon.
(h) The trust-property consists of land. The trustee sells the
land to a purchaser for a consideration without notice of the trust.
Illustration
A bequeaths certain property to B and C, and directs them to sell
it and invest the proceeds for the benefit of D. B and C accordingly
sell the property, and the purchase-money is received by B and
retained in his hands. C pays no attention to the matter for two years
and then calls on B to make the investment. B is unable to do so,
becomes insolvent, and the purchase-money is lost. C may be compelled
to make good the amount.