The Deo Estate Act, 1886

Purpose and scope

The Deo Estate Act, 1886 applies specifically to Raja Bhikam Narayan Singh Bahadur of Deo in the Gaya District. The legislation was requested because the Raja and his immoveable property were subject to private debts and liabilities. The creditors agreed to the arrangement on the condition that their rights to principal and interest were not impaired.

The Act came into force at once. It does not establish a general land rule for Tamil Nadu or for properties outside the identified estate.

Estate management

The Deo Estate Act, 1886 permits the Chutia Nagpur Encumbered Estates Act, 1876, as amended by Act V of 1884, to be applied with these modifications:

• The Commissioner means the Commissioner of the Patna division.
• The Deputy Commissioner means the Collector of the Gaya district.
• The holder means Raja Bhikam Narayan Singh Bahadur.
• The Commissioner may appoint a manager without another application from the Raja or another notification of consent from the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal.
• Management may cover all immoveable property held by the Raja in his own right, property he may redeem, and property acquired by or devolving on him or his heir while management continues.
• Provision for the Raja and his family also extends to people entitled to maintenance from the property.

Creditors and property sales

The Deo Estate Act, 1886 treats the principals, interest rates and balances listed in its schedule as properly due, unless an error is proved to the Commissioner's satisfaction.

Key protections include:

• Interest at six per cent per year on the outstanding portion of the principal sum of six hundred and fifty thousand rupees due to the Maharaja of Darbhanga must be paid before payments to other creditors from the available residue.
• The manager cannot use the specified power to remove a mortgagee or conditional buyer in possession.
• The Maharaja of Darbhanga must receive one month's notice before mortgaged property is sold.
• Certain sale proceeds cannot be paid to another creditor without the Maharaja's prior consent until his debt is reduced to six hundred and fifty thousand rupees.
• A court cannot entertain a maintenance claim against the property without the Commissioner's prior consent.

Effect on readers

The Deo Estate Act, 1886 concerns the named Raja, the Deo Estate in the Gaya District, its creditors, mortgagees, maintenance claimants and estate managers. It also preserves the priority of debts and liabilities owed to the Government.