THE INDIAN TRUSTS ACT, 1882

1* ACT No. 2 OF 1882

[13th January, 1882.]

An Act to define and amend the law relating to Private Trusts and
Trustees.

Preamble.-WHEREAS it is expedient to define and amend the law

relating to Preamble. private trusts and trustees; It is hereby
enacted as follows:-

CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY

1. Short title. Commencement.-This Act may be called the Indian

Trusts Act, 1882: and it shall come into force on the first day of
March, 1882.
Local extent, Savings.-2*[It extends to 3*[the whole of India
4*[except the State of Jammu and Kashmir] and] the Andaman and Nicobar
Islands 5***; but the Central Government may, from time to time, by
notification in the Official Gazette, extend it to 6*[the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands] or to any part thereof.] But nothing herein contained
affects the rules of Muhammadan law as to waqf, or the mutual
relations of the members of an undivided family as determined by any
customary or personal law, or applies to public or private religious
or charitable endowments, or to trusts to distribute prizes taken in
war among the captors; and nothing in the Second Chapter of this Act
applies to trusts created before the said day.

2. Repeal of enactments.-The Statute and Acts mentioned in the

Schedule hereto annexed shall, to the extent mentioned in the said
Schedule, be repealed, in the territories to which this Act for the
time being extends.

3. Interpretation-clause "trust":-A "trust" is an obligation

annexed to the ownership of property, and arising out of a confidence
reposed in and accepted by the

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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".

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4 Subs. by Act 3 of 1951, s.3 and Sch., for "except Part B States".
5 The words "and Panth Piploda" omitted by the A. O. 1950.
6 Subs. by the A. O. 1950 for "either or both of the said
Provinces".
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owner, or declared and accepted by him, for the benefit of another, or

of another and the owner:

"author of the trust":

the person who reposes or declares the confidence is called the
"author of the trust": the person who accepts the confidence is called
the "trustee": the person for whose benefit the confidence is accepted
is called the "beneficiary": the subject-matter of the trust is called
"trust-property" or "trust-money": the "beneficial interest" or
"interest" of the beneficiary is his right against the trustee as
owner of the trust-property; and the instrument, if any, by which the
trust is declared is called the "instrument of trust":

"trustee": "beneficiary": "trust-property": "beneficial interest":

"instrument of trust": "breach of trust":

a breach of any duty imposed on a trustee, as such, by any law

for the time being in force, is called a "breach of trust":

"registered":

"notice":

Expressions defined in Act 9 of 1872.-and in this Act, unless

there be something repugnant in the subject or context, "registered"
means registered under the law for the registration of documents for
the time being in force: a person is said to have "notice" of a fact
either when he actually knows that fact, or when, but for wilful
abstention from inquiry or gross negligence, he would have known it,
or when information of the fact is given to or obtained by his agent,
under the circumstances mentioned in the Indian Contract Act, 1872 (9
of 1872), section 229; and all expressions used herein and defined in
the Indian Contract Act, 1872, shall be deemed to have the meanings
respectively attributed to them by that Act.

CHAPTER II
OF THE CREATION OF TRUSTS

4. Lawful purpose.-A trust may be created for any lawful purpose.-

The purpose of a trust is lawful unless it is (a) forbidden by law, or
(b) is of such a nature that, if permitted, it would defeat the
provisions of any law, or (c) is fraudulent, or (d) involves or
implies injury to the person or property of another, or (e) the Court

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regards it as immoral or opposed to public policy.
Every trust of which the purpose is unlawful is void. And where a
trust is created for two purposes, of which one is lawful and the
other unlawful, and the two purposes cannot be separated, the whole
trust is void.
Explanation.--In this section the expression "law" includes,
where the trust-property is immoveable and situate in a foreign
country, the law of such country.

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.

5. Trust of immoveable property.-No trust in relation to

immoveable property is valid unless declared by a non-testamentary
instrument in writing signed by the author of the trust or the trustee
and registered, or by the will of the author of the trust or of the
trustee.
Trust of moveable property.-No trust in relation to moveable
property is valid unless declared as aforesaid, or unless the
ownership of the property is transferred to the trustee.
These rules do not apply where they would operate so as to
effectuate a fraud.

6. Creation of trust.-Subject to the provisions of section 5, a

trust is created when the author of the trust indicates with
reasonable certainty by any words or acts (a) an intention on his part
to create thereby a trust, (b) the purpose of the trust, (c) the
beneficiary, and (d) the trust-property, and (unless the trust is
declared by will or the author of the trust is himself to be the
trustee) transfers the trust-property to the trustee.

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

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indicated with reasonable certainty.
(d) A bequeaths certain property to B, desiring him to divide the
bulk of it among C's children. This does not create a trust, for the
trust-property is not indicated with sufficient certainty.
(e) A bequeaths a shop and stock-in-trade to B, on condition that
he pays A's debts and legacy to C. This is a condition, not a trust
for A's creditors and C.

7. Who may create trusts.-A trust may be created--

(a) by every person competent to contract, 1* and,
(b) with the permission of a principal Civil Court of
original jurisdiction, by or on behalf of a minor;
but subject in each case to the law for the time being in force
as to the circumstances and extent in and to which the author of the
trust may dispose of the trust-property.

8. Subject of trust.-The subject-matter of a trust must be

property transferable to the beneficiary.
It must not be merely beneficial interest under a subsisting
trust.

9. Who may be beneficiary. Disclaimer by beneficiary.-Every

person capable of holding property may be a beneficiary.
A proposed beneficiary may renounce his interest under the trust
by disclaimer addressed to the trustee, or by setting up, with notice
of the trust, a claim inconsistent therewith.

10. Who may be trustee.-Every person capable of holding property

may be a trustee; but, where the trust involves the exercise of
discretion, he cannot execute it unless he is competent to contract.

No one bound to accept trust.

marginal heading. No one is bound to accept a trust.

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.

A disclaimer by one of two or more co-trustees vests the trust-

property in the other or others, and makes him or them sole trustee or
trustees from the date of the creation of the trust.

Illustrations
(a) A bequeaths certain property to B and C, his executors, as

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trustees for D. B and C prove A's will. This is in itself an
acceptance of the trust, and B and C hold the property in trust for D.
(b) A transfers certain property to B in trust to sell it and to
pay out of the proceeds A's debts. B accepts the trust and sells the
property. So far as regards B, a trust of the proceeds is created for
A's creditors.

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1 See s. 11 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 (9 of 1872).
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(c) A bequeaths a lakh of rupees to B upon certain trusts and

appoints him his executor. B severs the lakh from the general assets
and appropriates it to the specific purpose. This is an acceptance of
the trust.

CHAPTER III
OF THE DUTIES AND LIABILITIES OF TRUSTEES

11. Trustee to execute trust.-The trustee is bound to fulfil the

purpose of the trust, and to obey the directions of the author of the
trust given at the time of its creation, except as modified by the
consent of all the beneficiaries being competent to contract.
Where the beneficiary is incompetent to contract, his consent
may, for the purposes of this section, be given by a principal Civil
Court of original jurisdiction.
Nothing in this section shall be deemed to require a trustee to
obey any direction when to do so would be impracticable, illegal or
manifestly injurious to the beneficiaries.
Explanation.--Unless a contrary intention be expressed, the
purpose of a trust for the payment of debts shall be deemed to be (a)
to pay only the debts of the author of the trust existing and
recoverable at the date of the instrument of trust, or, when such
instrument is a will, at the date of his death, and (b) in the case of
debts not bearing interest, to make such payment without interest.

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.

12. Trustee to inform himself of state of trust-property.-A

trustee is bound to acquaint himself, as soon as possible, with the

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nature and circumstances of the trust-property; to obtain, where
necessary, a transfer of the trust-property to himself; and (subject
to the provisions of the instrument of trust) to get in trust-moneys
invested on insufficient or hazardous security.

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.

13. Trustee to protect title to trust-property.-A trustee is

bound to maintain and defend all such suits, and (subject to the
provisions of the instrument of trust) to take such other steps as,
regard being had to the nature and amount or value of the trust-
property, may be reasonably requisite for the preservation of the
trust-property and the assertion or protection of the title thereto.

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.

14. Trustee not to set up title adverse to beneficiary.-The

trustee must not for himself or another set up or aid any title to the
trust-property adverse to the interest of the beneficiary.

15. Care required from trustee.-A trustee is bound to deal with

the trust-property as carefully as a man of ordinary prudence would
deal with such property if it were his own; and, in the absence of a
contract to the contrary, a trustee so dealing is not responsible for
the loss, destruction or deterioration of the trust-property.

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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the other, in good faith, and reasonably believing that it is for B's
interest to do so. A is not bound to make good any loss caused thereby
to B.
(d) A, a trustee directed to sell the trust-property by auction,
sells the same, but does not advertise the sale and otherwise fails in
reasonable diligence in inviting competition. A is bound to make good
the loss caused thereby to the beneficiary.

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1 See now the Indian Registration Act, 1908 (16 of 1908),
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(e) A, a trustee for B, in execution of his trust, sells the

trust-property, but from want of due diligence on his part fails to
receive part of the purchase-money. A is bound to make good the loss
thereby caused to B.
(f) A, a trustee for B of a policy of insurance, has funds in
hand for payment of the premiums. A neglects to pay the premiums, and
the policy is consequently forfeited. A is bound to make good the loss
to B.
(g) A bequeaths certain moneys to B and C as trustees, and
authorizes them to continue trust-moneys upon the personal security of
a certain firm in which A had himself invested them. A dies, and a
change takes place in the firm. B and C must not permit the moneys to
remain upon the personal security of the new firm.
(h) A, a trustee for B, allows the trust to be executed solely by
his cotrustee, C. C misapplies the trust-property. A is personally
answerable for the loss resulting to B.

16. Conversion of perishable property.-Where the trust is created

for the benefit of several persons in succession, and the trust-
property is of a wasting nature or a future or reversionary interest,
the trustee is bound, unless an intention to the contrary may be
inferred from the instrument of trust, to convert the property
of a in to property permanent and immediately profitable character.

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.

17. Trustee to be impartial.-Where there are more beneficiaries

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than one, the trustee is bound to be impartial, and must not execute
the trust for the advantage of one at the expense of another.
Where the trustee has a discretionary power, nothing in this
section shall be deemed to authorize the Court to control the exercise
reasonably and in good faith of such discretion.

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.

18. Trustee to prevent waste.-Where the trust is created for the

benefit of several persons in succession and one of them is in
possession of the trust-property, if he commits, or threatens to commit, any act which is
destructive or permanently injurious thereto, the trustee is bound to take measures
to prevent such act.

19. Accounts and information.-A trustee is bound (a) to keep

clear and accurate accounts of the trust-property, and (b), at all
reasonable times, at the request of the beneficiary, to furnish him
with full and accurate information as to the amount and state of the
trust-property.

20. Investment of trust-money.-Where the trust-property consists

of money and cannot be applied immediately or at an early date to the
purposes of the trust, the trustee is bound (subject to any direction
contained in the instrument of trust) to invest the money on the
following securities, and on no others:-
(a) in promissory notes, debentures, stock or other
securities 1*[of any State Government or] of the
Central Government or of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland:
2*[Provided that securities, both the principal whereof and
the interest whereon shall have been fully and
unconditionally guaranteed by any such Government shall
be deemed, for the purposes of this clause, to be
securities of such Government;]
(b) in bonds, debentures and annuities 3*[charged or secured
by the 4*[Parliament of the United Kingdom] 5* [before
the fifteenth day of August, 1947] on the revenues of
India or of the 6*[Governor-General in Council] or of
any Province]:
7*[Provided that, after the fifteenth day of February, 1916,
no money shall be invested in any such annuity being a
terminable annuity unless a sinking fund has been
established in connection with such annuity; but
nothing in this proviso shall apply to investments made
before the date aforesaid;]

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1 Ins. by Act 31 of 1920, s. 2 and Sch. I.
2 Added by Act 18 of 1934, s. 2.
3 Subs. by the A. O. 1937 for "charged by the Imperial Parliament
on the revenues of India".
4 Subs. by the A. O. 1950 for "Imperial Parliament".
5 Ins. by the A. O. 1948.
6 Subs. by the A. O. 1948 for "Federation".
7 Added by Act 1 of 1916, s. 2.
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1*[(bb) in India three and a half per cent. stock, India

three per cent. stock, India two and a half per cent.
stock or any other capital stock 2*[which before the
15th day of August, 1947, was] issued by the Secretary
of State for India in Council under the authority of an
Act of Parliament 3*[of the United Kingdom] and charged
on the revenues of India] 4*[or which 5*[was] issued by
the Secretary of State on behalf of the Governor-
General in Council under the provisions of Part XIII of
the Government of India Act, 1935]; (26 Geo. 5, Ch. 2.)
(c) in stock or debentures of, or shares in, Railway or
other Companies the interest whereon shall have been
guaranteed by the Secretary of State for India in
Council 1*[or by the Central Government] 6*[or in
debentures of the Bombay 7*[Provincial] Co-operative
Bank, Limited, the interest whereon shall have been
guaranteed, by the Secretary of State for India in
Council] 4*[or the State Government of Bombay];
8*[(d) in debentures or other securities for money issued,
under the authority of 9*[any Central Act or Provincial
Act or State Act], by or on behalf of any municipal
body, port trust or city improvement trust in any
Presidency-town, or in Rangoon Town, or by or on behalf
of the trustees of the port of Karachi:]
10*[Provided that after the 31st day of March, 1948, no
money shall be invested in any securities issued by or
on behalf of a municipal body, port trust or city
improvement trust in Rangoon town, or by or on behalf
of the trustees of the port of Karachi.]

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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".

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8 Subs. by Act 3 of 1908, s. 2, for the original clause.
9 The words "any Act of a Legislature established in British India"
have been successively amended by the A. O. 1948, the A. O. 1950 and
Act 3 of 1951 to read as above.
10 Ins. by the A. O. 1948.
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(e) on a first mortgage of immoveable property situate in

1*[any part of the territories to which this Act
extends]: Provided that the property is not a leasehold
for a term of years and that the value of the property
exceeds by one-third, or, if consisting of buildings,
exceeds by one-half, the mortgage-money;4***
4*(ee) in units issued by the Unit Trust of India under any
unit scheme made under section 21 of the Unit Trust
of India Act, 1963; or;
(f) on any other security expressly authorized by the
instrument of trust 4* [or by the Central Government by
notification in the Official Gazette,] or by any rule
which the High Court may from time to time prescribe in
this behalf:
Provided that, where there is a person competent to contract and
entitled in possession to receive the income of the trust-property for
his life, or for any greater estate, no investment on any security
mentioned or referred to in clauses (d), (e) and (f) shall be made
without his consent in writing.

2*[20A. Power to purchase redeemable stock at a premium.-(1) A

trustee may invest in any of the securities mentioned or referred to
in section 20, notwithstanding that the same may be redeemable and
that the price exceeds the redemption value:
Provided that a trustee may not purchase at a price exceeding its
redemption value any security mentioned or referred to in clauses (c)
and (d) of section 20 which is liable to be redeemed within fifteen
years of the date of purchase at par or at some other fixed rate, or
purchase any such security as is mentioned or referred to in the said
clauses which is liable to be redeemed at par or at some other fixed
rate at a price exceeding fifteen per centum above par or such other
fixed rate.
(2) A trustee may retain until redemption any redeemable stock,
fund or security which may have been purchased in accordance with this
section.]

21. Mortgage of land pledged to Government under Act 26 of 1871.-

Deposit in Government Savings Bank. Nothing in section 20 shall apply
to investments made before this Act comes into force, or shall be
deemed to preclude an investment on a mortgage of immoveable property
already pledged as security for an advance under the Land Improvement
Act, 18713*, or, in case the trust-money does not exceed three
thousand rupees, a deposit thereof in a Government Savings Bank.

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---------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Subs. by Act 3 of 1951, s. 3 and Sch., for "a Part A State or a
Part C State".
2 Ins. by Act 1 of 1916, s. 3.
3 See now the Land Improvement Loans Act, 1883 (19 of 1883).
4 Omitted and ins by Act 16 of 1975, s. 2 (w.e.f. 7-1-1975).
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22. Sale by trustee directed to sell within specified time.-Where

a trustee directed to sell within a specified time extends such time,
the burden of proving, as between himself and the beneficiary, that
the latter is not prejudiced by the extension lies upon the trustee,
unless the extension has been authorized by a principal Civil Court of
original jurisdiction.

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.

23. Liability for breach of trust.-Where the trustee commits a

breach of trust, he is liable to make good the loss which the trust-
property or the beneficiary has thereby sustained, unless the
beneficiary has by fraud induced the trustee to commit the breach, or
the beneficiary, being competent to contract, has himself, without
coercion or undue influence having been brought to bear on him,
concurred in the breach, or subsequently acquiesced therein, with full
knowledge of the facts of the case and of his rights as against the
trustee.
A trustee committing a breach of trust is not liable to pay
interest except in the following cases:-
(a) where he has actually received interest:
(b) where the breach consists in unreasonable delay in
paying trust-money to the beneficiary:
(c) where the trustee ought to have received interest, but
has not done so:
(d) where he may be fairly presumed to have received
interest.
He is liable, in case (a), to account for the interest actually
received, and, in cases (b), (c) and (d), to account for simple
interest at the rate of six per cent. per annum, unless the Court
otherwise directs.
(e) where the breach consists in failure to invest trust-
money and to accumulate the interest or dividends
thereon, he is liable to account for compound interest

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 (with halfyearly rests) at the same rate:
(f) where the breach consists in the employment of
trustproperty or the proceeds thereof in trade or
business, he is liable to account, at the option of the beneficiary,
either for compound interest (with half-yearly rests)
at the same rate, or for the net profits made by such
employment.

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.

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The trustee is liable, at the option of the beneficiary, to purchase
other land of equal value to be settled upon the like trust, or to be
charged with the proceeds of the sale with interest.

24. No set-off allowed to trustee.-A trustee who is liable for a

loss occasioned by a breach of trust in respect of one portion of the
trust-property cannot set-off against his liability a gain which has
accrued to another portion of the trust-property through another and
distinct breach of trust.

25. Non-liability for predecessor's default.-Where a trustee

succeeds another, he is not, as such, liable for the acts or defaults
of his predecessor.

26. Non-liability for predecessor's default.-Subject to the

provisions of sections 13 and 15, one trustee is not, as such, liable
for a breach of trust committed by his cotrustee:
Provided that, in the absence of an express declaration to the
contrary in the instrument of trust, a trustee is so liable--
(a) where he has delivered trust-property to his co-trustee
without seeing to its proper application:
(b) where he allows his co-trustee to receive trust-property
and fails to make due enquiry as to the co-trustee's
dealings therewith, or allows him to retain it longer
than the circumstances of the case reasonably require:
(c) where he becomes aware of a breach of trust committed or
intended by his co-trustee, and either actively
conceals it or does not within a reasonable time take
proper steps to protect the beneficiary's interest.
Joining in receipt for conformity.
Marginal heading. A co-trustee who joins in signing a receipt
for trust-property and proves that he has not received the same is not
answerable, by reason of such signature only, for loss or
misapplication of the property by his co-trustee.

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.

27. Several liability of co-trustees.-Where co-trustees jointly

commit a breach of trust, or where one of them by his neglect enables
the other to commit a breach of trust, each is liable to the
beneficiary for the whole of the loss occasioned by such breach.

Contribution as between co-trustees.

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 The Indian Trusts Act, 1882 Notes

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