Section 20 of SMA : Section 20: Rights And Disabilities Not Affected By Act

Explanation using Example

Imagine a couple, Ravi and Mei, who come from different religious backgrounds. They decide to get married under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, to avoid religious ceremonies and formalities. After their marriage, Ravi inherits property from his late uncle. In this scenario, due to Section 20 of the Special Marriage Act, Ravi's marriage through this Act does not affect his rights of succession to the inherited property. He would have the same rights to the property as he would have had if he had married within his caste or religion, thanks to the elimination of disabilities pertaining to caste or religious differences as outlined in the Caste Disabilities Removal Act, 1850.