A pardanashin woman is one who, by the custom of the country or the usage of the particular community to which she belongs, is obliged to observe complete seclusion (Parda). “A woman will not be a pardanashin woman if she goes to the court and gives evidence, settles rents with tenants and collects rents, communicates in matters of business with men other than the members of her family.”
A pardanashin woman can fall easy prey to dishonest people. Therefore, to protect such woman, the law has provided special protection to them. Persons dealing with them must, therefore, show affirmatively and conclusively that the deed was not only executed by, but was explained to, and was really understood by the lady and that deed was made by her with her free and independent will, i.e., no coercion or undue influence was exercised.
Thus the ordinary law that a person signing an instrument has understood it does not apply to pardanashin women. Therefore, merely showing that the instrument was read out to her is not sufficient. The law requires something more than this, i.e., the effect of the whole transaction was understood by her and she had independent advice in the matter.