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Gift Deed

/ɡɪft diːd/

Property Law Term

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Definition

A legal document transferring ownership of property from a donor to a donee without any consideration. Under Section 122 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882, a gift of immovable property must be by a registered instrument signed by the donor and attested by two witnesses. The gift is complete only upon acceptance by the donee during the donor's lifetime. Future property cannot be gifted.

Examples

A father gifts his house to his daughter through a registered gift deed — no money changes hands, but the daughter becomes legal owner upon registration and acceptance.
A gift made under duress is voidable. Once accepted, a gift is generally irrevocable except under limited statutory grounds under Section 126 TPA.

Case Study

In Renikuntla Rajamma v. K. Sarwanamma (2014), the Supreme Court held that a gift deed is irrevocable once the conditions of Section 122 TPA are satisfied — registered, accepted, and possession delivered. The donor cannot unilaterally revoke it.

Key Cases

Renikuntla Rajamma v. K. Sarwanamma

2014

(2014) 16 SCC 1

A completed gift (registered, accepted, possession delivered) is irrevocable. The donor cannot unilaterally revoke absent grounds under Section 126 TPA.

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Also Known As

deed of gift

Synonyms

deed of giftdonative transfervoluntary transfer deed

Antonyms / Opposites

saleexchangewill / bequest

Related Terms

Transfer of Property Act 1882Section 122 TPAsale deeddonordoneeRegistration Act 1908

Dictionary Entry

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