Succession Certificate Act: a debt includes present obligations payable later, barring a decree without a succession certificate.

A debt under Section 4 of the Succession Certificate Act was construed in its ordinary legal sense to include money already owing under a present obligation, even if payable only in futuro. On that construction, a claim that existed during the creditor's lifetime but became payable after death falls within the statutory protection, so the heirs cannot obtain a decree unless they produce a succession certificate or otherwise comply with Section 4.

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Issues: Whether heirs of a deceased creditor can obtain a decree for a debt existing during the creditor's lifetime but payable only after death without producing a certificate under the Succession Certificate Act.

Analysis: The expression "debt" in Section 4 was held to bear its ordinary legal meaning. A debt is not confined to a sum immediately payable; it includes money which is already owing and will become payable in future under a present obligation. On that construction, a claim which existed in the creditor's lifetime, though payable only after death, falls within the statutory protection requiring production of a succession certificate before decree can be passed.

Conclusion: The heirs cannot obtain a decree without producing a certificate under the Succession Certificate Act or otherwise complying with Section 4.

Ratio Decidendi: For purposes of Section 4 of the Succession Certificate Act, a debt includes an existing obligation payable in futuro, so a claim existing during the creditor's lifetime but payable after death cannot be decreed in favour of the heirs without a succession certificate.

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