When does the power to annul a transfer under s.23(1) of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 arise?

Challenging the proceedings of the first respondent in Na.Ka.No. 577/2023/A3 dated 28.09.2023 and 20.11.2023, the present Writ Petition has been filed.

The case of the petitioner is that the fifth respondent is the petitioner's father and out of love and affection the fifth respondent executed settlement deeds bearing Document Nos.818 of 2003 & 622 of 2012 dated 31.07.2003 and 22.08.2012, respectively, in favour of the petitioner and a settlement deed bearing Document No.1866 of 2022 dated 02.11.2022, in favour of the petitioner's daughters. Thereafter, the fifth respondent initiated proceedings under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, before the first respondent. Pursuant thereto, the first respondent in and by proceedings dated 28.09.2023, cancelled the aforesaid settlement deeds executed by the fifth respondent in favour of the petitioner and the petitioner's daughters on the ground that the petitioner had failed to maintain his father. Further, the first respondent has also passed a corrected order dated 20.11.2023. Aggrieved over the same, the present Writ Petition has been filed.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the issue involved in the present Writ Petition is no longer res integra. The aforesaid settlement deeds dated 31.07.2003, 22.08.2012 and 02.11.2022, executed by the petitioner's father in favour of the petitioner and the petitioner's daughters are absolute and irrevocable settlement deeds, which cannot be cancelled. He further submitted that Section 23(1) of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 can be invoked only when the transfer is subject to a condition that the transferee shall provide basic amenities and physical needs to the transferor and such condition is breached. In the absence of any such condition in the settlement deed, the authorities under the Act have no jurisdiction to cancel the settlement deed.

Learned Counsel has placed reliance upon the decision of the Hon'ble Full Bench in the case of Sasikala Vs. Revenue Divisional Officer and another reported in 2022 SCC online Mad 4343, wherein, it has been categorically held that in the absence of a condition incorporated in the deed, the power under Section 23(1) cannot be exercised and further held that when a settlement deed is executed, the same cannot be cancelled unilaterally.

It is the further submission of the learned Counsel for the petitioner that one of the settlement deed was executed in the year 2003, well before the Act namely the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, came into force. Hence, the Act does not get attracted. In this regard, he relied on the Division Bench judgment in the case of M.M.Ramesh Vs. M.S.Manikavasagam and another reported in 2026 (2) CTC 513. Accordingly, he prayed for allowing the Writ Petition.

Learned Government Counsel appearing for the official respondents submitted that the impugned order came to be passed on the complaint of the senior citizen alleging failure of maintenance by the petitioner. However, he fairly submitted that the issue is governed by the judgment of the Hon'ble Full Bench of this Court. Hence, this Court may issue appropriate directions in the above regard.

Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Counsel appearing for the official respondents and perused the materials available on record.

Admittedly, the petitioner is the son of the fifth respondent. The issue involved in the present Writ Petition is no longer res integra, in view of the judgment of the Hon'ble Full Bench of this Court in Sasikala's case, as referred to supra, wherein it has been held that the power under Section 23(1) of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 can be exercised only if the transfer of property has been made subject to the condition that the transferee shall provide basic amenities and physical needs to the transferor and such condition has been violated. In the absence of such a condition in the deed of transfer, the authorities functioning under the Act have no jurisdiction to annul or cancel the transfer. The relevant portion with regard to unilateral cancellation is extracted hereunder;

With regard to the applicability of the Act, this Court in M.M.Ramesh's case has held that the Act cannot be given retrospective effect. The relevant portion of the said judgment reads as under:

In the case on hand, a perusal of the settlement deeds dated 31.07.2003, 22.08.2012 and 02.11.2022 do not disclose any condition requiring the petitioner to maintain the executant as as pre-condition for transfer of the properties. Therefore, the essential requirement for involving Section 23(1) of the Act is absent. Consequently, the first respondent could not have exercised the power of cancellation under the Act.

In view of the above settled legal position, the impugned proceedings of the first respondent in Na.Ka.No.577/2023/A3 dated 28.09.2023 and 20.11.2023 are liable to be set aside.

Accordingly, the Writ Petition stands allowed and the impugned orders of the first respondent in Na.Ka.No.577/2023/A3 dated 28.09.2023 and 20.11.2023, are hereby quashed. However, since it is the duty of the son to take care of his father, the petitioner is directed to pay a maintenance amount of Rs.5,000/- to the fifth respondent, on or before 7th day of every English Calender month. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.