Stridhan
5 years ago
I wanted to known about my stridhan rights as I got married my parents hv gvn me 20 tola gold silver valuables in kilos even other things in the said marraige(2017, may) from day 1 my all jewellery was taken by my mil Nd by her daughter's Nd even my husband in September they hv sended me forcefully to my mother's place till now I am at my mother's place itself I just wanted to know regarding my rights as after making several request also they didn't gv me bck my things even they restricted me to take my clothes also .... How can I get bck my things Nd plz let me know what are my rights
A.Dear Madam,
Just have a look the following paragraphs.
Here is Stridhan explained in simple terms so that you know what it comprises, and how you can protect it in the case of any dispute.
As the Hindu community in India followed the Hindu law created for smooth functioning of the household, the terms like HUF, karta, stridhan were created for protecting the interest of different members of the household. With the changing times some laws like HUF, were given legal status. There were amendments made to bring more clarity with changing times and protect legal rights of the members against claims arising.
But some terms like Stridhan are still vague….
What is Stridhan?
Stridhan is property of a woman in larger terms, that on which she has absolute ownership… also the property of the non-earning female member of the family.
A woman was not traditionally a bread earner for the family and was never expected to become one. Hence the property under ‘Stridhan’ was defined as the one which she would receive as gift from the breadwinners on different occasions. Like gifts received from parents as a girl, at the time of her wedding from parents and relatives (mostly gold ornaments), later on the birth of her offspring, or on her becoming a widow to help her run her house hold etc. Stridhan also includes property passed on to her by means of a will by her father, husband or any other family member.
Ambiguous standing
This however does not have any formal documentation nor any legal standing as there was no form of registration which would term her assets as her Stridhan, and can be subjected to questioning.
So, the idea to give her legal protection and comfort was not met after the formation Hindu succession act 1956. It is still a matter of ambiguity.
I am quoting the law for the benefit of readers: “Section 14 of The Hindu Succession Act, 1956 clearly outlines that the property acquired by a female Hindu to be her absolute property, and therefore her Stridhan.”
Now the ambiguity. How do you prove such and such asset/ property/gold/gift is your Stridhan? The liability of proving that falls on the women and she needs to prove it in the court of law to establish her claim, in case of any dispute.
So get it documented with 2 witnesses; this can still be questioned in court of law but still you’ll have 2 witnesses in your favour and you will have something documented when everything was normal not at the time of raising your claim.
The concept of Stridhan in case of an earning woman
Now the paradigm takes a new shape with a working woman contributing to the running of the house hold. She is a wealth creator too – an equal or more, but contributing member in running the house.
Now Stridhan is attached to your income. You do not get any tax benefit, but you are liable to pay tax on the income arising from any of the assets passed to you under Stridhan. For example, you got some property as a gift from your father in his will, and the property is leased out. The income form the property is added to your income and you are liable to pay income tax on the same.
So ladies, there were some ancient laws to protect your interest. Have knowledge about the same. Get your assets/gift received /income documented. Keep them in your possession if possible. And make a will just to be safe.
As the times have changed, relationships are tested. And in troubled times you need your Stridhan to help you sail and at present the onus of proving it as yours rests with you.
Working women or not earning member of family, know your rights and assets. Get sorted, be more financially independent!
Shanti Ranjan Behera
Advocate
Just have a look the following paragraphs.
Here is Stridhan explained in simple terms so that you know what it comprises, and how you can protect it in the case of any dispute.
As the Hindu community in India followed the Hindu law created for smooth functioning of the household, the terms like HUF, karta, stridhan were created for protecting the interest of different members of the household. With the changing times some laws like HUF, were given legal status. There were amendments made to bring more clarity with changing times and protect legal rights of the members against claims arising.
But some terms like Stridhan are still vague….
What is Stridhan?
Stridhan is property of a woman in larger terms, that on which she has absolute ownership… also the property of the non-earning female member of the family.
A woman was not traditionally a bread earner for the family and was never expected to become one. Hence the property under ‘Stridhan’ was defined as the one which she would receive as gift from the breadwinners on different occasions. Like gifts received from parents as a girl, at the time of her wedding from parents and relatives (mostly gold ornaments), later on the birth of her offspring, or on her becoming a widow to help her run her house hold etc. Stridhan also includes property passed on to her by means of a will by her father, husband or any other family member.
Ambiguous standing
This however does not have any formal documentation nor any legal standing as there was no form of registration which would term her assets as her Stridhan, and can be subjected to questioning.
So, the idea to give her legal protection and comfort was not met after the formation Hindu succession act 1956. It is still a matter of ambiguity.
I am quoting the law for the benefit of readers: “Section 14 of The Hindu Succession Act, 1956 clearly outlines that the property acquired by a female Hindu to be her absolute property, and therefore her Stridhan.”
Now the ambiguity. How do you prove such and such asset/ property/gold/gift is your Stridhan? The liability of proving that falls on the women and she needs to prove it in the court of law to establish her claim, in case of any dispute.
So get it documented with 2 witnesses; this can still be questioned in court of law but still you’ll have 2 witnesses in your favour and you will have something documented when everything was normal not at the time of raising your claim.
The concept of Stridhan in case of an earning woman
Now the paradigm takes a new shape with a working woman contributing to the running of the house hold. She is a wealth creator too – an equal or more, but contributing member in running the house.
Now Stridhan is attached to your income. You do not get any tax benefit, but you are liable to pay tax on the income arising from any of the assets passed to you under Stridhan. For example, you got some property as a gift from your father in his will, and the property is leased out. The income form the property is added to your income and you are liable to pay income tax on the same.
So ladies, there were some ancient laws to protect your interest. Have knowledge about the same. Get your assets/gift received /income documented. Keep them in your possession if possible. And make a will just to be safe.
As the times have changed, relationships are tested. And in troubled times you need your Stridhan to help you sail and at present the onus of proving it as yours rests with you.
Working women or not earning member of family, know your rights and assets. Get sorted, be more financially independent!
Shanti Ranjan Behera
Advocate
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Shreyash Mohta
Responded 5 years ago
A.Mam, these are the following steps you should follow
1. Police Complaint, [failing which]
2. Send them a legal notice [Prescribing the time period in which they need to return the items], Also, the legal notice should mention what all properties are you asking for and should contain a list of the same, It should also mention that upon failure to comply all the
member who are in possession of such Stridhan will be liable to be prosecuted u/s 405 and 406 of the IPC
Coming to your rights of Stridhan, they are as follows
1. u/s 405 IPC
2. u/s 14 of The Hindu Succession Act, r/w section 27 of the Hindu Marriage Act
3. u/s 12 of The Domestic Violence Act
4. u/s 18 (ii) of The Domestic Violence Act
However, a case of 498A for Stridhan rights will be held as misuse of such a provision so it is advisable not to file a 498A for the same.
Hope this helped
Shreyash Mohta
1. Police Complaint, [failing which]
2. Send them a legal notice [Prescribing the time period in which they need to return the items], Also, the legal notice should mention what all properties are you asking for and should contain a list of the same, It should also mention that upon failure to comply all the
member who are in possession of such Stridhan will be liable to be prosecuted u/s 405 and 406 of the IPC
Coming to your rights of Stridhan, they are as follows
1. u/s 405 IPC
2. u/s 14 of The Hindu Succession Act, r/w section 27 of the Hindu Marriage Act
3. u/s 12 of The Domestic Violence Act
4. u/s 18 (ii) of The Domestic Violence Act
However, a case of 498A for Stridhan rights will be held as misuse of such a provision so it is advisable not to file a 498A for the same.
Hope this helped
Shreyash Mohta
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A.Dear Sir,
You just file criminal complaint with police and they will seize all your properties and give the same to you.
For full procedure contact me on mobile through Vidhikarya.
Rate me Five Star *
Please visit the following link.
https://vidhikarya.com/LawyerRating/9506c43f5d0b2d266a07
You just file criminal complaint with police and they will seize all your properties and give the same to you.
For full procedure contact me on mobile through Vidhikarya.
Rate me Five Star *
Please visit the following link.
https://vidhikarya.com/LawyerRating/9506c43f5d0b2d266a07
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