Section 20 of AGA : Section 20: Effect Of Probate Or Letters Granted To Administrator-General

Explanation using Example

Imagine a scenario where Mr. Sharma, a resident of Delhi, passes away leaving assets like bank accounts and property in different states of India, including Maharashtra and West Bengal. His will appoints the Administrator-General of Delhi as the executor. According to Section 20(1) of The Administrators-General Act, 1963, once the High Court in Delhi grants probate to the Administrator-General, this grant will be effective throughout India, allowing the Administrator-General to manage or distribute Mr. Sharma's assets across the country without needing separate grants from the High Courts of Maharashtra or West Bengal.

After the grant, as per Section 20(2), the Delhi High Court will send a certificate of this grant to the High Courts of Maharashtra and West Bengal. These courts will file the certificate, acknowledging the authority of the Administrator-General of Delhi over Mr. Sharma's assets in their respective states.

In another instance, if Mr. Sharma had passed away before 1968 with assets in Jammu and Kashmir, and the High Court there had granted probate or letters of administration, then Section 20(3) ensures that after the 1968 Act's commencement, such a grant would be considered as effective as if it had been granted under this section, thus allowing the Administrator-General to manage the assets in Jammu and Kashmir as well.