39. [Power to order settlement of wife’s property for benefit of husband and children].—[Omitted
by the Indian Divorce (Amendment) Act, 2001 (51 of 2001), s. 23 (w.e.f. 3-10-2001)].
40. Inquiry into existence of ante-nuptial or post-nuptial settlements.—1
[The District Court
may, before passing a decree for dissolution of the marriage or a decree of nullity of marriage, inquire
into]the existence of ante-nuptial or post-nuptial settlements made on the parties whose marriage is
the subject of the decree, and may make such orders, with reference to the application of the whole or
a portion of the property settled, whether for the benefit of the husband or the wife, or of the children
(if any) of the marriage, or of both children and parents, as to the Court seems fit:
Provided that the Court shall not make any order for the benefit of the parents or either of them at
the expense of the children.