Where a property is bequeathed to a person with a bequest in the alternative to another person or to a class of persons, then, if a contrary intention does not appear by the Will, the legatee first named shall be entitled to the legacy if he is alive at the time when it takes effect; but if he is then dead, the person or class of persons named in the second branch of the alternative shall take the legacy.
Illustrations
(i) A bequest is made to A or to B. A survives the testator. B takes nothing.
(ii) A bequest is made to A or to B. A dies after the date of the Will, and before the testator. The legacy goes to B.
(iii) A bequest is made to A or to B. A is dead at the date of the Will. The legacy goes to B.
(iv) Property is bequeathed to A or his heirs. A survives the testator. A takes the property absolutely.
(v) Properly is bequeathed to A or his nearest of kin. A dies in the lifetime of the testator. Upon the death of the testator, the bequest to A's nearest of kin takes effect.
(vi) Properly is bequeathed to A for life, and after this death to B or his heirs. A and B survive the testator. B dies in A's lifetime. Upon A's death the bequest to the heirs of B takes effect.
(vii) Property is bequeathed to A for life, and after his death to B or his heirs. B dies in the testator's lifetime. A survives the testator. Upon A's death the bequest to the heirs of B takes effect.
Illustrations
(i) A bequest is made to A or to B. A survives the testator. B takes nothing.
(ii) A bequest is made to A or to B. A dies after the date of the Will, and before the testator. The legacy goes to B.
(iii) A bequest is made to A or to B. A is dead at the date of the Will. The legacy goes to B.
(iv) Property is bequeathed to A or his heirs. A survives the testator. A takes the property absolutely.
(v) Properly is bequeathed to A or his nearest of kin. A dies in the lifetime of the testator. Upon the death of the testator, the bequest to A's nearest of kin takes effect.
(vi) Properly is bequeathed to A for life, and after this death to B or his heirs. A and B survive the testator. B dies in A's lifetime. Upon A's death the bequest to the heirs of B takes effect.
(vii) Property is bequeathed to A for life, and after his death to B or his heirs. B dies in the testator's lifetime. A survives the testator. Upon A's death the bequest to the heirs of B takes effect.
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More sections of this act
Section 1 · Short title.Section 2 · Definitions.Section 3 · Power of State Government to exempt any race, sect or tribe in the State from operation of Act.Section 4 · Application of Part.Section 5 · Law regulating succession to deceased person’s immoveable and moveable property, respectively.Section 6 · One domicile only affects succession to moveables.Section 7 · Domicile of origin of person of legitimate birth.Section 8 · Domicile of origin of illegitimate child.India Code, Government of India. Text fetched 10 Oct 2026. Source metadata reports last modification: 2026-01-12. Check the linked official text and subsequent notifications when applying a provision.