Section 14 of HSA : Section 14: Property Of A Female Hindu To Be Her Absolute Property

Explanation using Example

Imagine a woman named Sunita inherited a piece of land from her father in 1950. Before the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 came into force, she would hold this land as a 'limited owner', meaning her rights were restricted and she couldn't sell or transfer the property as she wished. After the Act came into force, specifically Section 14(1), Sunita's ownership is upgraded to that of a 'full owner'. Now, she can sell the land, gift it, or otherwise deal with it just like any other property owner could.

However, if Sunita's uncle had given her a house through a gift deed that explicitly stated she can only live in the house for her lifetime and after her death, the house should go to her son, then Section 14(2) comes into play. This subsection ensures that the conditions of the gift deed are respected, and Sunita would not become the full owner of the house; she would still have a 'restricted estate' in that property.