Partition Rights Of Children From Second Wife Under Hindu Law

The concept of division of family property under Hindu legal traditions is closely connected to the ancient traditions of joint family and coparcenary systems. Over the years, the legislative framework has evolved to bring in gender equality, legitimacy protections, and redefine family structures. A particularly intricate and sensitive area is legal entitlements of children from a subsequent wife — especially in cases where the marriage itself may be void under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.This legal research note aims to explore the rights of such children in the context of ancestral and self-acquired property, mainly dealing with partition rights under Hindu law. The core purpose is to clarify whether children from a second marriage — legally recognized or nullified — are entitled to assert a right to divide the property and what legal principles govern such claims.Legal Framework Governing Marriage and InheritanceThe Hindu Marriage Act defines conditions for a valid marriage. Section 5 lays down that a Hindu man or woman cannot marry again during the subsistence of a first marriage. A second marriage conducted during the life of the first spouse, without divorce, is void under:- Section 11 – Declares bigamous marriages as void.- Section 17 – Makes bigamy a punishable offence.The Hindu Succession Act, 1956 governs inheritance. Class I heirs include sons, daughters, widow, mother, and other specified heirs. Importantly, Section 16 of the Hindu Marriage Act gives legitimacy to children from void or voidable marriages and affirms their rights of succession from the father. Children from Second Marriage: Valid vs. VoidIf the first marriage was dissolved by death or divorce, the second marriage is valid. The children of such a marriage receive equal consideration as all other offspring.However, if the second marriage occurs during the life of the first wife without divorce, it is void under Hindu Marriage Act. Despite this, Section 16(1) ensures such children are legitimate.In Parayankandiyal Eravath Kanapravan v. Kalliani Amma (1996) 4 SCC 76, the Supreme Court held children from a legally invalid marriage are legitimate and have rights of succession.Partition in Hindu LawPartition is the division of joint family property among coparceners. It applies to:1. Ancestral Property – inherited up to four generations.2. Self-acquired Property – acquired personally by the individual.Post-2005 Coparcenary ReformsWith the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005, daughters became equal coparceners. This applies retrospectively.Children from a second marriage, whether son or daughter, are entitled to seek partition if the property is ancestral.Practical ExampleSuppose X has two wives:- First wife (legal)- Second wife (legally invalid marriage)Children: A & B (first wife), C & D (second wife)If X dies intestate leaving property inherited from forefathers, the second wife has no rights. But A, B, C, and D all get identical portions. Each gets 1/4th of X's portion.Judicial Pronouncements- Revanasiddappa v. Mallikarjun (2011) 11 SCC 1: Held that children from legally invalid marriages are legitimate and eligible to inherit assets.- Jinia Keotin v. Kumar Sitaram Manjhi (2003) 1 SCC 730: Earlier restricted inheritance, but overruled by later judgments.Distinction: Second Wife vs. Her ChildrenSecond wife (if legally invalid marriage): Not a legal heir.Children from second wife: Legitimate under Section 16; eligible to inherit assets.Maintenance RightsSecond wife may claim maintenance under Section 125 CrPC if unaware of earlier marriage.Children can claim maintenance under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956.Partition Rights Between Second Wife's Children ThemselvesThey are equals. Both sons and daughters can seek division of assets between each other. Daughters are coparceners post-2005.Challenges in PracticeSocial stigma and family politics often deny rightful shares. Documentation and legal awareness are crucial.Hindu law recognizes full legitimacy and property rights of children from a second wife, even when the marriage is void. Legal practitioners must ensure that their rights are protected and enforced through appropriate litigation and counseling.The author is an Advocate.

Partition Rights Of Children From Second Wife Under Hindu Law

Vikrant Surya

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