The Telangana Court of Wards Act, 1350 Fasli

This Act may be called, "the Telangana Court of Wards Act, 1350 F.," and shall come into force in "the State of Telangana" from the date of its publication in the "Official Gazette".

(1) The Court may exercise all or any of the powers conferred upon it by this Act either directly or through the "Collector" within the limits of whose jurisdiction any ward resides, or any part of the property of any ward is situate, or through any other person whom the Court may, in respect of the property of any ward or any part thereof or for any local limits, appoint for this purpose. (2) The Court may, with the sanction of the Government or under any rule made under this Act, delegate any of its powers to any "Collector" or any other person appointed under sub-section (1).

(1) When a Collector receives information that any owner who resided or whose property is situated within his territorial jurisdiction, has died or disappeared and has reason to believe that successor of such owner whether by survivorship or inheritance or will or gift, is a person who is or should be declared to be disqualified under section 7, the Collector may,- (a) subject to the directions and control of the Court, take possession of the property of the deceased or missing owner, and appoint a manager thereof or make such order or take such measures for the temporary custody and protection of the said property as he deems fit. The manager appointed under this clause shall exercise all the powers conferred by this Act on a manager appointed by the Court. (b) if the successor be a minor, direct the person in whose custody or protection the minor is to produce him or cause to be produced at such time and place, and before him or any person appointed by the Collector for this purpose. The Collector may make suitable orders for the temporary custody and protection of such minor, and if the minor be a female such direction shall be given with due regard to the custom and usage of the country. (2) Any action taken by the Collector under sub-section (1) shall be reported by him without undue delay to the Court, which shall decide whether the Collector should withdraw his management or submit a report under section 10.

The expenses incurred by a Collector acting under section 8, shall, whether or not the property is taken over by him or a manager appointed, be charged on the property concerned, and shall be recovered from the owner or the person whom the Collector may declare to be in possession of such property as an arrear of land revenue.

(1) Where a Collector has reason to believe that any owner residing, or having his property situated, within his territorial jurisdiction, is or should be declared to be disqualified under section 7, he shall report the facts and circumstances to the Court, and shall in accordance with the direction of the Court, make such inquiry, as may be necessary, into the circumstances of such owner and extent of his indebtedness. (2) The Court as also the Government may on their own motion direct any Collector within whose territorial jurisdiction any owner, who is or should be declared to be disqualified under section 7, resides, to make such inquiry as may be necessary, into the circumstances and debts of such owner. (3) The Collector may either himself make an inquiry under sub-section (1) or (2) or direct a Deputy or Assistant Collector or any other person to make necessary inquiry. (4) The officer conducting an inquiry under this section, shall in addition to notifying in the Official Gazette the date appointed by him for inquiry, notify the same in such manner as the Government may by a special or general order prescribe in this behalf. He shall also cause to be served a notice on the owner, and where the owner is a minor, on the person having custody or charge of the person or property of the owner or both, and shall give them an opportunity to be heard and to adduce evidence. (5) From the date of the notification in the Official Gazette the owner shall be subject to the prohibitions mentioned in section 29 so long as inquiry is proceeding and until the orders of Government are passed thereon. (6) After the aforesaid inquiry, the Collector shall submit a report to the Court setting forth all the circumstance of the case. (7) The question whether the provisions of this section have been complied with, shall be decided by the Government whose decision shall be final.

The Court shall submit the report received under section 10 along with its opinion thereon to the Government, and may, pending orders of Government, adopt necessary measures at its discretion, for protection of the person and property of the owner.

(1) Where the Court has assumed protection and superintendence of the property or person and property, of the owner under clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 7, the Court shall cause the Firman of H.E.H. the Nizam to be published in the Official Gazette. (2) The Government may, on the Court's recommendation order the Court to assume protection and superintendence of the property or person and property of the owners mentioned in clauses (b), (c), (d) and (e) of sub-section (1) of section 7. An order made by Government shall be published in the Official Gazette.

Any owner may apply in writing to the Government to have his property placed under the superintendence of the Court, and the Government may, on such application, if it is of opinion that it is expedient in the public interest and for the benefit of the applicant's family to protect his property, and that the said property is of such value that economical management by the Court is practicable, order the Court to assume the superintendence of the property and notify accordingly in the Official Gazette.

(1) The Government may, for the purpose of publication of the Firman of H.E.H., order and notification under sections 12 and 13, prescribe generally any other manner in addition to the Official Gazette. In view of any special case, the Government may in addition to the prescribed mode determine any other special manner. (2) On publication under sub-section (1), the Court shall appoint the Collector or any person who shall under this Act, discharge the duties of a Collector. (3) With effect from the date of publication of Firman of H.E.H. and order under sections 12 and 13 the owner shall be deemed to become a ward and the protection and superintendence of his person or property or both by the Court shall be deemed to take effect from the said date. (4) With effect from the said date all movable and immovable property of the owner whether the Court has or has not knowledge thereof, shall be deemed to be under the superintendence of the Court. (5) Where after the Court has assumed superintendence, the ward has inherited any property or acquired any right or is otherwise declared entitled to any property or right, such property or right shall be deemed to be under the superintendence of the Court: But the Court may, in the interest of the ward, assume or refuse to assume superintendence of any property or right, other than that vested in him as successor or representative and which after the date of publication of the order of the Government accrues to the ward in any manner other than in the capacity of the successor or representative.

No suit against the Court shall be instituted in any Civil Court on the ground that the Court has exercised its powers of superintendence of the person or property of a person who was or is not an owner or a minor.

When the Court has assumed superintendence of the property of a ward, the Collector named in the notification under sub-section (2) of section 14, or if so directed by the Court, the Collector of the district in which any part of the property is situate, shall take possession and custody of the property on behalf of the Court and manage it in accordance with the rules made under this Act.

(b) purpose of searching for such property or accounts or papers, and take or authorise any other person to take every precautionary measure for preventing clandestine removal of accounts, papers or property from such house or room: Provided that an entry into any house or room occupied by a pardahnashin lady shall not be lawful unless sufficient time and adequate facilities are afforded to her for withdrawing therefrom; (c) summon for examination any person who is or was in the employ of the ward and any person who was in the employ of the deceased owner from whom the ward got the property; and defray the necessary expenses for summoning and attendance out of the profits from the ward’s property; (d) require all persons in possession of the immovable property of the ward or interested therein, to produce documents in respect of their possession or interest.

The Court may, from time to time, determine the sums to be allowed for the expenses of any ward, his family and dependents.

The Court may, at its discretion, make orders and arrangements for the custody, residence, education and marriage of the following persons:- (a) ward whose person is under the superintendence of the Court; (b) any minor member of the ward’s family who in the opinion of the Court, should be maintained at the charge of the ward’s property; (c) ward’s next male heir being minor and entitled to maintenance.

(1) The Court may appoint a guardian for the person of the ward and manager for his property and may supervise their work or remove them. (2) The Court may, at its discretion, obtain from the person appointed under sub-section (1), security and guarantee for the performance and discharge of duties and may pay, if necessary, adequate remuneration for his service, from the property of the ward. (3) An appointment made under sub-section (1) shall terminate on cessation of superintendence of the Court. (4) The appointment of a guardian under this section, shall be subject to the provisions contained in sections 3 and 17 of the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890.

Where no guardian or manager is appointed by the Court for the person or property of the ward or such office is temporarily vacant, the Collector specified in the notification under section 14, or any other person whom the Court may appoint for this purpose, may, under the control of the Court, do all acts that might be done by such guardian or manager.

(1) A guardian appointed under section 20 shall,- (a) be charged with the custody of the ward and subject to the control of the Court, make suitable provision for his maintenance, health and education and for such other matters as may be required by the religion and family custom and usage of the ward; (b) keep and submit accounts at the time prescribed by the Court; for all moneys that may come in his control or possession; (c) pay the balances due from him as per the accounts. (2) The guardian shall continue to be liable to account even after he has vacated the office. (3) The guardian shall not, without the sanction of the Court, do anything whereby the property of the ward is encumbered or expenses are incurred.

Subject to the control of the Court, the manager may,- (a) collect the income of the ward’s property under the superintendence of the Court, and all moneys due to the ward and grant receipts therefor; (b) under the orders of the Court, grant or renew leases for good management of the property and do any act for which he has been authorised by the Court generally or specially.

The manager shall deligently and faithfully manage the property placed under his charge and shall,- (a) keep and submit at the times and in the forms prescribed by the Court, accounts of all such moneys as may come under his control or in his possession; (b) deal with all moneys received by him in such manner as the Court may direct; (c) without the sanction of the Court, not do anything whereby the property of the ward is encumbered or expenses are incurred; (d) be responsible for any loss occasioned to the property by his negligence or wilful omission of duties; (e) continue liable to account even after he has ceased to be manager.

Any guardian, manager or any other employee of the Court, shall be deemed to be a Government servant for the purposes of Chapter IX of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and the word “Government” used in the definition of “legal remuneration” in section 161 of the said Code shall, for the purposes of this section, include the Court within its meaning.

The whole income from the property of any ward shall be expended on the following items, under the control of the Court. The charges in Class I shall have priority over all other charges and charges in Class II shall have priority over charges in Class III. CLASS I CHARGES: Charges necessary for the maintenance, residence, education, marriage and indispensable religious ceremonies of the ward and his family, and for the management and supervision of his property. Payment of land revenue, taxes and other Government demands due in respect of the ward’s property or any part thereof. CLASS II CHARGES: Rent and other demands due on account of any land in the possession of the ward and debts payable by the ward. Expenses necessary for pursuing cases in courts and departments or otherwise for the protection of ward’s interests. Charges for the maintenance of lands, buildings and other immovable property of the ward and upkeep of the furniture and other equipage or live-stock and movable property. CLASS III CHARGES: Under orders of the Court, payment of charges for the religious observances of the ward’s family or of other religious or charitable aids, allowances and donations befitting the position of the ward’s family. Prevention and relief of distress among the ward’s tenantry, improvement and benefit of the property of the ward generally.

Any surplus, remaining after applying the income of the ward’s property to the items specified in section 27 may, in consultation with the Finance Department, be utilised for the purchase of immovable property for the benefit of the ward, or be invested in the following securities :- (a) promissory notes debentures and stock of the Government or the Government of India; (b) bonds, debentures and annuities charged by the Imperial Parliament on the revenue of India or by the Government on the revenues of the State; (c) shares, debentures or stock in railways or other companies the interest whereon is guaranteed by the Government or the Government of India; (d) debentures or other securities for money issued under any law, by any authority established in the State of Telangana or in any part of India; (e) such other securities, stock and shares guaranteed by the Government or the Government of India or any State Government; (f) first mortgages of immovable property where the owner’s title thereto is not limited in time and which is situate in the State of Telangana or in any part of India.

30. The Court may generally, in respect of the whole property under its superintendence, or any part thereof, pass such order and do such act not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act or any other law for the time being in force, as may be necessary for the welfare of the ward and benefit of the property. The Court may, subject to the general power, sell or mortgage the whole or any part of any property, other than State grant under its superintendence, or may, at its discretion, lease out the whole or any part of such property for any term or may remit rent or other dues in respect of the property: Provided that where the property has been taken under superintendence under section 13, the immovable property shall not in any way be encumbered, given on lease for a term exceeding ten years, sold, mortgaged or exchanged, without the consent of the owner and the sanction of the Government and in other cases without the sanction of the Government.

31. The Court may, for the care and management of the ward and the property under its superintendence, and generally for carrying out the purposes of this Act, make necessary appointments and may defray the charges in proper proportion from the properties under its superintendence: Provided that in no case the charges for supervision and management shall exceed two annas per rupee on the gross income of the said estate.

32. The Court may summarily evict any person in possession of, or occupying in contravention of the provisions of this Act, any property under its superintendence. For this purpose the Court may exercise all the powers which a Collector has under section 157 of the Telangana Land Revenue Act, 1317 F.

33. The Court shall, in respect of rents, lease money or land revenue due in respect of the property under its superintendence, have the same powers possessed by a Collector for the recovery of land revenue under the Telangana Land Revenue Act, 1317 F.

34. No immovable property under the superintendence of the Court, shall be liable to auction or sale for the purpose of paying the arrears of land revenue. But if such property is auctioned or sold for any other reason, the arrears of land revenue shall first be paid from the proceeds of sale.

39. (1) The Collector shall, after making such inquiry as he deems fit, decide as to which claims notified to him or presented to him under section 36, are to be allowed in whole or in part and which are to be disallowed. On such decision being confirmed by the Court, the Collector shall give written notice of the same to the claimants.

(2) The Collector may, where he has admitted any claim or part thereof, make to the claimant a proposal in writing for the reduction of the claim or for the rate of interest to be paid in future or for both or for the terms of payment. If the claimant accepts such proposal in writing with or without modification, and such written acceptance is attested by the Collector himself or by any Revenue Officer, not below the rank of a Deputy or Assistant Collector, appointed by the Government by a general or special order for the purpose, it shall be binding upon the claimant.

(3) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (2) nothing contained in this section shall preclude any claimant from instituting or continuing any suit in a Civil Court in respect of any claim against a ward or his property, whether such claim is allowed or disallowed by the Court: Provided that where a suit is instituted, no decision made under this section, shall be used as against the defendant: Provided further that where the claimant has failed to notify his claim under section 36, no suit or proceeding in

(1) On the publication of a notification under section 35 the Court shall not proceed with the execution of a decree against the person or property of the ward, until a certificate to the effect that the decree-holder has acted in accordance with section 36 is produced or until the expiration of three months from the date of receipt by the Collector of a written application by the decree-holder, for such certificate, accompanied by a certified copy of the decree.

(2) Any person, holding a decree against the ward or his property, shall be entitled to receive from the Collector free of cost the certificate under sub-section (1). Such certificate shall be conclusive proof of the matters stated therein.

(3) In computing the period of limitation for the execution of the decree, proceedings in which have been stayed under sub-section (1), the time from the date of the notice or of the decree, if it was passed subsequently to the publication of the notice, to the date when the Collector's decision under section 39 is confirmed and notified shall be excluded.

Where any document which is in the possession or under the control of a claimant is not produced by him as required by section 36, such document shall not be admitted in evidence in any suit instituted by the claimant or his legal representative during the continuance of the superintendence of the Court or after it is withdrawn, in respect of any claim or liability founded upon such document or supported by it, unless the Court is satisfied that there was reasonable and sufficient cause for not producing such document before the Collector.

(1) When all the claims have been confirmed under section 39, the Collector shall submit to the Government through the Court, a schedule of the debts and liabilities of the ward, and the Government may, where the property appears to be involved in debts beyond any hope of extrication, or for any other sufficient cause, by order published in the Official Gazette direct that on a date to be specified, the superintendence of the property of the ward shall be withdrawn. From the said date,-

(a) the superintendence shall terminate,

(b) the possession of the property under superintendence shall be delivered to the owner thereof,

(c) the contracts entered into by the Court for the preservation and benefit of the property shall be binding upon the owner, and

(d) the claims referred to in sub-section (3) of section 35 shall revive.

(2) In computing the period of limitation, applicable to suit, in respect of claims, referred to in clause (d) of sub-section (1), the time during which the property has been under the superintendence of the Court, shall be excluded.

(1) Where any property of a ward is in the possession of any person who has been granted a lease by the ward and dated within the three years immediately preceding the commencement of superintendence of the Court, or of any representative of such lessee, the Collector may inquire into the sufficiency of the consideration for which the lease was granted; and if the Collector is of the opinion that the consideration is inadequate, he may, with the previous sanction of the Court, give notice in writing to the lessee that the lease shall determine at the end of the then current revenue year, unless the lessee or his representative pays or agrees to pay such additional consideration specified in such notice within the date therein fixed. If the such person fails to pay or to agree to pay the additional consideration agreed upon by the Collector, the lease shall determine at the end of the then current revenue year.

If the lessee or his representative is aggrieved by the said notice or the Collector, he may, within three months from the date of receipt of such notice, institute a suit against the ward, in a competent Court, for determining the following matters:-

(a) Whether the consideration for the lease was adequate;

(b) If the consideration is found to be inadequate, the consideration which would be reasonable.

(2) The Court, if satisfied that the lease was granted for adequate consideration, shall pass a declaratory decree.

(3) If the Court is of the opinion that the consideration is inadequate, it shall determine the amount of additional consideration.

(4) If no suit is instituted as aforesaid or after institution of a suit, the Court decrees an additional consideration, and the lessee does not, within a month from the date of the decree pay or enter into an agreement to pay the additional consideration, the Collector may, without resorting to a Court, enter upon the property, and may evict the lessee or any person resisting on his behalf.

(1) No Court shall question the propriety of an order passed by the Government or the Court in the exercise of its discretion under this Act.

(2) No suit shall lie against any Government servant or any guardian, manager, or servant appointed by, and discharging his duties under the Court, for anything done by him in good faith under this Act:

Provided,-

(a) that any person evicted under section 32 may sue for restitution; and

(b) that any person from whom rent, lease money or revenue has been recovered under section 33, may sue for recovery of the same or any part thereof.

(1) No suit relating to the person or property of any ward, shall be instituted in any Civil Court unless the plaintiff has given notice in writing of his intention to the Collector or to the person appointed under sub-section (2) of section 14 and until the expiration of two months after such notice is given.

(2) The written notice referred to in sub-section (1) shall state the name and place of abode of the plaintiff, the relief which he claims, and the cause of action; and the plaint shall contain a statement that such notice has been delivered.

No notice shall be required in respect of a suit the period of limitation for which will expire within three months from the date of notification under section 14.

A suit or proceedings in any Civil or Revenue Court by or against ward shall be in his name; but shall be conducted or defended by the manager appointed under section 20 as next friend or guardian and where no manager is appointed, the officer competent to act as manager under section 21.

The costs decreed by a Court in any suit or proceeding against the manager of the property or the officer appointed under section 21, shall be paid out of the property of the ward.

No suit shall be instituted on behalf of any ward, by the manager of the property or the officer appointed under section 21, unless authorised by some general or special order of the Court: provided that a suit about to be barred by limitation, may be instituted without leave of the Court, but the Court shall not further proceed with such suit, until the Court ratifies the institution of the suit.

Where in any suit or proceeding wards being parties, have conflicting interest, the Court shall appoint for each such ward a next friend to conduct the suit or proceeding under supervision of the Court.

When a suit is instituted in a Court in respect of any property of the ward under the superintendence of the Court, and the title of the ward to such property is lost by reason of a decree of the Court, the expenses incurred in the course of litigation, shall be paid from any other property of the ward.

The Court shall, save as provided in section 56, withdraw superintendence of the person and property of the ward when,-

(a) the ward attains majority;

(b) a Civil Court declares that he is no more insane;

(1) Where the Court is satisfied that it is impracticable to liquidate within a reasonable time all the debts of an owner who has been made a ward under section 13, or the debts and liabilities due by him, it may, with the previous sanction of the Government, within two years from the date of publication of the notification under section 14, withdraw its superintendence, on a day to be notified, whether during continuance of superintendence, the debts and liabilities are partly liquidated or not liquidated at all. From the date of such withdrawal such owner shall cease to be a ward, and the provisions of section 36 shall not apply to any debts and liabilities which become due after withdrawal of superintendence. (2) In computing the period of limitation applicable to a suit brought or application made against the owner from whose property superintendence has been withdrawn as aforesaid, the time during which the superintendence of the Court continued shall be excluded.

If, in respect of any owner who has been made a ward under section 13, the Court is satisfied that his debts and liabilities have been discharged to an extent that he will thereafter be able to manage his estate and administer his affairs, the Court may, with the sanction of the Government, make over the management of the estate to the owner on a day to be notified. The owner shall, on the date when the management is madeover, cease to be disqualified.

Where a ward dies or ceases to be disqualified before the debts and liabilities have been discharged, the Court may, with the sanction of the Government, retain the property under its superintendence until the debts and liabilities are discharged or for any shorter period and when for the purpose of discharging such debts and liabilities, Court has raised money on condition that it should retain the superintendence of the property until the money so raised is repaid, the Court shall not, without the consent of the lender, withdraw the superintendence until the money so raised is repaid: Provided that, after the death of the ward, the Court shall not retain superintendence on account of any debts or liabilities which have been declared by a Civil Court not to be binding on the representatives of the deceased ward.

If the Court retains superintendence of the property under section 56, the owner who has ceased to be disqualified or the person succeeding to the property, shall, in respect of the property under superintendence, deemed to be a ward so far as the prohibitions contained in clauses (a), (c) and (e) of sub-section (1) of section 29 are concerned; and any debts and liabilities incurred by such owner or person before he succeeded, shall not be chargeable on the property under superintendence, until the debts and liabilities to discharge, which the superintendence has continued, have been discharged.

(1) When the Court decides to withdraw its superintendence from the person and property of any minor, it may, before withdrawing such superintendence, by an order in writing, appoint any person to be the guardian of the person or property or of both of the minor. (2) The appointment of guardian shall take effect from the date of release. (3) In appointing a guardian under this section, the Court shall have due regard for the provisions of sections 3 and 17 of the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890. (4) Every such appointment shall be notified to the District Judge within whose jurisdiction the property of the minor or any part thereof is situated. (5) Such a guardian shall be deemed to have been appointed by the District Judge and to be subordinate to him, and shall have, and be subject to the same rights, duties and liabilities as a guardian appointed under the said Central Act.

Any expenses incurred by the Court on account of any property under its superintendence, and not defrayed during superintendence, shall be recovered as an arrear of land revenue from any person in whose favour such property or any part thereof has been released: Provided that the expenses so recovered shall not exceed the value of the property so released.

Where on the death of a ward, the succession of his property or any part thereof is disputed, the Court may retain its superintendence until a claimant has established his title to the same in a Civil Court or a Revenue Court, or institute a suit or proceedings against all the claimants for settlement of their claims.

(1) If there are more owners than one of any property under the superintendence of the Court and if any one of such owners had ceased to be a ward and the Court considers this cause expedient in the interests of the owner who remains a ward, it may retain the whole property under its superintendence. (2) If the Court under sub-section (1) retains superintendence of the share of any owner who has ceased to be a ward, such owner shall not be competent to transfer or create any charge and incur any liability on any part of his share during the superintendence of the Court; but he shall not be prevented from making a testamentary disposition, or from applying to a Court or competent department for partition of his share, and from the date of such application until such partition takes place, the Court shall pay to such owner the surplus income accruing from his share of the property.

When the court retains superintendence of any property under section 56 or 60 or 61, it may exercise all the powers conferred by this Act in respect of any property of a ward. All acts done by the Court under this section shall be binding on the owner of such property.

When the Court withdraws its superintendence of any property, it shall deliver to the owner all documents of title and all papers, and accounts and such records as it may think proper relating to such property.

The fact of withdrawal of superintendence of person or property shall be notified in the Official Gazette.

When the Court withdraws its superintendence of any property under the provisions of Chapter VII, without discharging the liabilities thereof, the time from the date of publication of notice, under section 35 to the date of such withdrawal shall be excluded in computing the period of limitation applicable to suits for the recovery of the claims outstanding at the date of such publication.

If a ward is a mutawalli or hereditary manager of a temple, mosque or other religious establishment or endowment, the Court may, during his wardship, make arrangements for the discharge of his duties as mutawalli or manager: Provided that, for the personal management by the ward of the affairs of any such establishment or endowment, the Court shall appoint suitable person other than a Government servant, and shall as far as possible restrict its superintendence to the preservation of the property belonging to such establishment or endowment.

Whoever, without previous written permission of the Court, abets the marriage of any person specified in section 19 and who is maintained in the tenor of the said section, by the ward’s estate within the meaning of that section, shall be liable on conviction before a Court of Session, to be punished with fine which may extend to Rs. 2,000 or with imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or with both.

In holding any inquiry under this Act, the Collector or a person authorised shall have the powers vested in a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.

(1) The Government may make and enforce rules to carry out the purposes of this Act. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (1) the Government shall make and enforce rules for the following matters:- (a) appointment, salary and removal of manager or guardian;