The Supreme Court on Friday announced that children born out of "void or voidable" marriages are legitimate and are entitled to their parents' properties under the Hindu Succession law.
About the SC's verdict
The apex court's verdict came on a 2011 plea pertaining to the legal issue of whether children born out of wedlock were entitled to a share in the ancestral property of their parents under Hindu laws.
"We have now formulated conclusion, 1. A child of a marriage which is null and void is statutorily conferred with the legitimacy, 2. In terms of 16(2) (of the Hindu Marriage Act) where a voidable marriage is annulled, a child begotten before degree is deemed to be legitimate," a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said in the judgement.
"Equal rights have been granted to daughters in the same manner...," it said.
Moreover, the top court decided to question whether the share of such children is limited only to the self-acquired property of their parents under Section 16(3) of the Hindu Marriage Act.
These questions were referred to a larger bench by a two-judge bench of the apex court on March 31, 2011.
What does the Hindu Succession law say about void marriage?
According to the law, the man and woman in a void marriage do not have the status of husband and wife. However, they have the status of husband and wife in the voidable marriage.
In a void marriage, no decree of nullity is required to annul the marriage. While, in a voidable marriage decree of nullity is required.
