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Transmission
One of the lesser-known but widely experienced problems with respect to dealing in share certificates is transmission of shares. The Companies Act distinguishes transmission of shares from transfer of shares. While transfer of shares relates to a voluntary act of the shareholder, transmission is brought about by operation of law. The word 'transmission' means devolution of title to shares otherwise than by transfer, for example, devolution by death, succession, inheritance, bankruptcy, marriage, etc. While transfer of shares is brought about by delivery of a proper instrument of transfer (viz, transfer deed) duly stamped and executed, transmission of shares is done by forwarding the necessary documents (such as a notarised copy of death certificate) to the company. On registration of the transmission of shares, the person entitled to transmission of shares becomes the shareholder of the company and is entitled to all rights and subject to all liabilities as such shareholder.
In case the deceased shareholder had holdings in different companies, then in order to effect transmission of shares for these shares, the relevant documents must be sent to each of the companies, alongwith the share certificates. This results in a heavy reliance on the postal system. Follow-up may have to be made with each of the companies in order get the transmission effected before the book closure, if the survivor(s) wishes to avail of the benefits accrued through these shares.



