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Introduction
Gagan K
Relevance
Philosophical aspects are not important for
the exam. However, they are quite
interesting.
Introduction to TP Act gives clarity on the
subject as a whole.
Contents
Hugo Grotius
Samuel von Pufendorf
John Locke
Marxian theory
Position of TP Act
Property in general
Cambridge dictionary
an object or objects that belong to someone
a building or area of land, or both together
the legal right to own and use something
Not used in the sense of a quality in a
substance or material (do not confuse)
Definition in jurisprudence
an object of legal rights, which embraces
possessions or wealth collectively, frequently
with strong connotations of individual ownership.
In law, the term refers to the complex of jural
relationships between and among persons with
respect to things.
The things may be
tangible, such as land or goods, or
intangible, such as stocks and bonds, a patent, or a
copyright.
Theories of property
Speculations about nature of property as old as
Plato and Aristotle.
1. Hugo Grotius:
the state did have the power to expropriate private
property. On the other hand, for such a taking to be
lawful, it had to be for a public purpose and had to be
accompanied by the payment of just compensation to
the individual whose property was taken.
(Relate the above theory with the Land Acquisition
done by Governments in India for various purposes
and payment of compensation to the land owners. Eg:
Posco, Vedanta, Singur, Narmada)
Theories of property
2. Samuel von Pufendorf:
Property is founded in the physical power manifested
in seizing the object of property (occupation).
In order, however, to convert the fact of physical
power into a right, the sanction of the state is
necessary.
But the state cannot, make a property right where
physical possession is not present.
Thus, both occupation and state sanction are
necessary conditions for the legitimacy of property.
Theories of property
3. John Locke:
What gives someone a right to a thing, is not simply
his seizing of the object but rather the fact that he has
mixed his labour with the thing in making it his own.
This right to a thing arising out of labour is a natural
right. It does not require state sanction in order to be
valid.
(For example: theres a piece of land owned by no
one. I put a fence over it and make it suitable for
cultivation of crops. I have now got right over that
piece of land. Is this allowed today?)
Theories of property
4. Marxist theory of property:
The Communist Manifesto (1847) of Karl Marx and
Friedrich Engels holds that property is nothing but a
device in the social warfare between the capitalist and
proletarian classes, the means by which the capitalist
expropriates the labour of the proletarian and keeps
him in slavery.
Reform, according to Marx and Engels, would not
come until the revolution, when property would be
abolished.
(For example: consider the feudalism in India where a
landlord owns 100s of acres of property. He exploits
labourers and enjoys the proceeds of the land, while
the labourers do not get minimum wages!)
Inheritance
Insolvency
Forfeiture
Sale in execution of
decree
By Will
2. Voluntary transfer of
property by act of
parties (inter vivos):
Sale
Mortgage
Gift
Exchange
Charge
Position of TP Act
Contract Act among
other things provides for
transfer of different
types of properties
Sale of Movable
Property is governed
By Sale of Goods Act.
Sale of immovable
Property is governed
By TP Act
Also
Every general rule has an exception
Generally, TP Act applies to transfer of
property between voluntary transfers between
living persons
EXCEPTION: However, general provisions of
TP Act can even be applies to transfer by
operation of law, on principles of justice,
equity and good conscience.