In a Court of Law, Can Gift Deeds Be Challenged?

Introduction

A gift agreement must be documented with the sub-registrar in accordance with the Registration Act, 1908. Non-compliance with this rule renders transfers null and void.

Transferring by gift certificate

A gift is when one gives away something without expecting anything in return, whether it’s mobile or immovable. Ownership should be transferred from the giver to the recipient through documentation of the gift. According to Indian Registration, the gift deed must be registered with a sub-registrar.

In a gift deed, the donor and the recipient are referred to as the transferor and donee, respectively. To be considered genuine, a gift must meet certain requirements.

Is it legal to give gifts to minors?

Gifts can be given to a donee or transferee under the age of majority, even though a juvenile cannot provide consent or accept gifts. After the minor turns 18, the guardian is responsible for managing the property; at that point, the donee can accept or return the gift.

Assets with flexibility

Anything that can be moved can be a gift, including cars, cash, jewellery, and other adornments. Gift registration is required for immovable property, but not for movable property. To give movable property, a recorded deed or a simple transfer can be used.

Taxes on gifts

According to Section 56 (2) (vii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, individuals and undivided Hindu families are exempt from paying taxes on gifts received from blood relatives, such as inheritances, during marriage, or in anticipation of death. Gifts exceeding Rs 50,000 will be taxed as income from other sources in any other situation, but not here.

Is it possible to challenge a gift deed in court?

You can bring the gift deed into dispute in court by filling out a declaration of gift deed lawsuit. If you want to know if you can challenge a Gift Deed in India, you will only be able to do so if the gift was given against the donor’s wishes or by fraud or deception. Contesting a gift deed may be justified on the following grounds:

In the event that the gift transfer consent was not freely given,
Donation deeds might not have been properly executed and registered by applicable law.
If either party is unable to contract, either party can refuse to accept the gift.
In the event that the recipient fails to meet the conditions of the gift, the gift will be forfeited. It is possible to cancel such a gift deed.
Any compensation included in a gift deed would be invalid.

How Does A Declaration Suit Work?

A “Declaration” is the official declaration of a person’s property rights or legal status by a court.

A person can sue anyone who claims they lack a legal character or a property right, and a tribunal may declare that they do. Additional remedies are not necessary for the claimant.

To protect the plaintiff’s rights, the suit seeks to proclaim the plaintiff’s title/ownership and reclaim possession.

How Do I Withdraw A Gift Deed?

If certain circumstances are met, a gift can be withdrawn under Section 126 of the Transfer of Property Act. The following elements must be present for a facility to be revoked:

If a specific occurrence occurs, the facility will be suspended or cancelled;
A donor’s wishes must not be influenced by such an incident;;
Gifts must be suspended or revoked with the consent of the donee before acceptance. And,
Cancellation of a contract must be based on something other than lack of consideration or failure to perform.
It should not be part of the agreement if the condition is illegal or morally repulsive to the property created by the donation.
It is governed by section 126. Therefore, a provision in the gift document barring transfer is void under the provisions stated in art.
Non-fraudulent or non-unreasonable gifts can be canceled without the recipient’s consent. It is only through legal recourse in a competent court of law that one can annul such a gift deed.

The bases

Various circumstances can arise when the person making the gift is affected by another person, either personally or by threat; thus, the consent and document lose value.
The gift deed is not legally binding if it is not performed correctly and recorded as required by law. Even if a gift deed isn’t properly registered, it remains legitimate. It is not possible to collect the benefits of a gift deed that has not been reported.
It is legal for a minor to give a gift to another minor, but it is not legal for a little to give a gift to a minor. Incompetent minds or inability to comprehend what is being done are also reasons why the donor is not considered competent.
In order to transfer property by way of a gift deed, consideration must be paid. If someone shows that the gift deed was given without consideration, it is null and void.
Despite consideration being misunderstood, it is not the same as fulfilling a requirement if the recipient’s gift does not meet the gift requirement. In making a gift, the giver may perceive it as a form of security rather than as a reversal of favour.

Lastly,

People have been making gifts for a long time, and there were no similar arguments then. As mindset and culture have changed, many people now view the gifting of assets as a safe and effective method to prevent future disputes. There are avenues for individuals to dispute a mistaken gift deed if they stand to lose if the gift deed becomes law.

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Legal Advisor