Universal donee
Section 128 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 deals with universal donee. Subject to the provisions of section 127, where a gift consists of the donor's whole property, the done is personally liable for all the debts due by [and liabilities of] the donor at the time of the gift to the extent of the property comprised therein. The Act came into force on 01 Jul 1882.
Subject to the provisions of section 127, where a gift consists of the donor's whole property, the done is personally liable for all the debts due by 1[and liabilities of] the donor at the time of the gift to the extent of the property comprised therein.
Section 128, The Transfer of Property Act, 1882 (Act 4 of 1882).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
This section refers to
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Kallu Konda Reddy vs Madam Ranga Reddy
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
A person who receives the entire transferable property of a donor as a gift is a universal donee under Section 128 of the TP Act and is liable for the donor's existing debts; the retention of non-transferable rights like pension by the donor does not negate this status.
On this section: Applied to define the wife as a universal donee liable for the donor's debts.
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 128
What have the courts held on Section 128 of the Transfer of Property Act?
Kallu Konda Reddy vs Madam Ranga Reddy (22 Nov 2024) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Applied to define the wife as a universal donee liable for the donor's debts.
How do I find court cases under Section 128 of the Transfer of Property Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: TP Act 128, section 128 TP Act, section 128 of the Transfer of Property Act. People searching for it also type s 128 tpa and tpa 12 128. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Kallu Konda Reddy vs Madam Ranga Reddy (22 Nov 2024).
What should I read with Section 128 of the Transfer of Property Act, and has it changed?
Its own text turns on section 127 (Onerous gifts), so none of them can safely be read on its own.
When did Section 128 of the Transfer of Property Act come into force?
Section 128 of the Transfer of Property Act, cited as TP Act 128, came into force on 01 Jul 1882, having been enacted on 17 Feb 1882. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
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- 108. Rights and liabilities of lessor and lessee1030 words
- 69A. Appointment of receiver892 words
- 3. Interpretation-clause658 words
- 35. Election when necessary614 words
- 58. Mortgage , mortgagor , mortgagee , mortgage-money and mortgage- deed defined554 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 14 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.