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Hindu Succession Act, 1956

247 judgments · newest first · showing 1–200

Lalitha Kalyan KrishnanversusT S Kalyan Krishnan

DISPOSED OFF

The petitioners, the wife and son of the deceased T.S. Kalyan Krishnan, applied for a Legal Heirship Certificate under Section 2 of Bombay Regulation VIII of 1827, asserting that they are the sole heirs under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956. The deceased died intestate on 5 October 2016 and no other …

DOROTHY CONCEICAO GOLDFIELDversusGEORGE FRANCIS GOLDFIELD

DISPOSED OFF

The petitioners, the widow, son and daughter of the deceased George Francis Goldfield, applied for a Legal Heirship Certificate under Section 2 of Bombay Regulation VIII of 1827. The deceased died intestate in Dubai on 4 May 2017 and the Municipal Corporation of Greater Bombay refused to issue a …

Ulpavati Bhujangrao NanawareversusBhujangrao Lala Nanaware

DISPOSED OFF

The widow of the deceased, Bhujangrao Lala Nanaware, filed a miscellaneous petition seeking a Legal Heirship Certificate under Section 2 of the Bombay Regulation VIII of 1827, asserting that she and the deceased's three sons are the only heirs under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956. The deceased died …

Neha Dipesh DholakiaversusJasvant Chhotalal Parikh

DISPOSED OFF

The petitioner, Neha Dipesh Dholakia, filed a miscellaneous petition seeking a Legal Heirship Certificate under Section 2 of Bombay Regulation VIII of 1827 for her parents, Jasvant Chhotalal Parikh (deceased 2022) and Devyani Jasvant Parikh (deceased 2023), who died intestate. She asserted that she …

Sunita Radhesh UchilversusJayalakshmi Narayanan Subramanyan

DISPOSED OFF

The petitioner, Sunita Radhesh Uchil, filed a petition under Section 2 of the Bombay Regulation (VIII) of 1827 seeking a Legal Heirship Certificate for her mother, the deceased Jayalakshmi Narayanan Subramanyan, who died intestate on 22 January 2018. The petitioner identified herself and her sister, …

Purnima Harendra Dalal and OrsversusHarendra Kunjvihari Dalal Deceased

DISPOSED OFF

The petitioners – the widow, son and married daughter of the deceased Harendra Kunjvihari Dalal – applied to the Bombay High Court for a Legal Heirship Certificate under Section 2 of the Bombay Regulation Act VIII of 1827, asserting that they are the sole heirs under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956. …

Daniel Philips DarshiversusDarshi Karnamma Philips alias Karnamma Philips Darshi

DISPOSED OFF

The petitioners, three sons and a married daughter of the deceased Darshi Karnamma Philips, filed a petition under Section 2 of Bombay Regulation VIII of 1827 seeking a Legal Heirship Certificate after the deceased died intestate on 12 September 2014. They asserted that they are the only Class I …

SHRI AMAR NARSING KADAMversusSHRI. SHEKHAR NARSING KADAM

Disposed Off

The appellant challenged a decree that dismissed his earlier suit concerning Block No. 81, a property allegedly held as joint family property. The trial court had held, relying on Section 14(1) of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, that the property became the absolute ownership of Subhadra, the …

AMIT D.NANDURKAR and ANRversusGULABAI SITRAMA BAIRAGI.

DISMISSED

The plaintiff, Sumit Devidas Nandurkar, sought Letters of Administration with a Will annexed for the estate of the deceased Kachardas Balkrishna Bairagi, relying on a Will dated 28 April 1984 that named his mother and himself as beneficiaries. The will was contested by several heirs who filed …

Dr. Govindaraja Venkatesh IyengarversusA. R. Sampathkumar (Since Deceased)

DISPOSED OFF

The Bombay High Court heard a probate suit filed by Dr. Govindaraja Venkatesh Iyengar, executor of the 1998 will of Rajalakshmi Gopal Ayengar, seeking probate of a bungalow in Chembur. The will bequeathed the property to the plaintiff and directed that proceeds could be used for the A.R. …

Shailesh Champaklal VoraversusChetana Shailesh Vora

DISPOSED OFF

The petitioner, Shailesh Champaklal Vora, filed a miscellaneous petition under Section 2 of the Bombay Regulation VIII of 1827 seeking a legal heirship certificate for his deceased wife, Chetana Shailesh Vora, who died intestate on 3 May 2019. The petitioner claimed that he and the deceased’s son, …

NARAYAN BANDU SHENDGEversusPANDURANG KONDIBA KOLI

Disposed Off

The petitioners, claiming to represent the late tenant Narayan Bandu Shendge, challenged a review order of the Maharashtra Revenue Tribunal that set aside earlier orders favoring the landlord under the Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, 1948. The landlord argued that the review was …

SHRI. SHANKAR SITARAM KURHADEversusMRS. KONDABAI SOPAN PADEKAR

Dismissed

The case involved an ancestral joint family property where the plaintiff, a daughter of the deceased, claimed a one‑fourth share. The first appellate court granted her share, holding that no valid partition by metes and bounds had been effected and that the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, did not …

Anju Kumari SinhaversusThe Life Insurance Corporation of India

DISPOSED

Anju Kumari Sinha, the widow of the deceased policyholder, filed a writ petition seeking the death claim proceeds of two LIC policies. LIC contended that the proceeds had already been paid to the recorded nominee, Uma Sinha, the mother of the deceased, and that any grievance must be pursued in a …

DARUBAI & ANR.versusKAMALABAI & ORS.

2026 INSC 613Dismissed

The suit concerned a partition of land and houses belonging to the late Dajiba, claimed by his four daughters and his wife Darubai. The daughters sought a 4/5 share, while Darubai, as the original defendant, argued she could sell part of the property as karta of the family under the doctrine of …

Suman kumarversusThe Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited,

DISMISSED

The petitioner, Suman Kumar, applied for a retail outlet (RO) dealership of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) after executing a lease deed with the sons of the original landowners. BPCL rejected his application, invoking Clause 4(vi)(a) of its Dealer Selection Brochure, which requires that a …

KIRAN RAIKWAR (SINCE DIED)versusSTATE OF U.P. AND ANOTHER

The mother of the deceased Kiran Raikwar filed a petition seeking release of Rs 16 lakh deposited by the State under Section 13‑B of the Hindu Marriage Act as part of a mutual‑consent divorce settlement. The wife had died before receiving the amount, and the mother claimed entitlement as the legal …

Smt. Kamla SinghversusThe State of Bihar

DISPOSED

Smt. Kamla Singh, claiming to be the legal heir of her deceased brother, filed a writ petition seeking mutation of two flats owned by her brother. The brother and his wife died childless, and the petitioner applied to the Patna Municipal Corporation, which has not yet decided the mutation. …

KANCHANA RAIversusGEETA SHARMA & ORS.

2026 INSC 54Dismissed

The deceased Dr. Mahendra Prasad died in 2021 leaving three sons; one son, Ranjit Sharma, died after his father’s death and his wife Geeta Sharma filed a maintenance petition under the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956, claiming she was a dependant. The Family Court dismissed the petition, …

P. ANJANAPPA (D) BY LRSversusA.P. NANJUNDAPPA & ORS.

2025 INSC 1286Appeal(s) allowed

The case involved a joint family property dispute among descendants of Pillappa, concerning the validity of two registered release deeds (1956 and 1967) and an unregistered palupatti (partition) deed of 1972. The plaintiffs argued that the releases were ineffective and that the palupatti could not …

RAM CHARAN & ORS.versusSUKHRAM & ORS.

2025 INSC 865Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants, who are the legal heirs of Dhaiya, a Scheduled Tribe woman, filed a suit for partition of land that belonged to their maternal grandfather, claiming that their mother was entitled to an equal share. The trial court and the High Court dismissed the suit, holding that the plaintiffs …

SMT. SHAIFALI GUPTAversusSMT. VIDYA DEVI GUPTA & ORS.

2025 INSC 739

The mother and younger son filed a suit for partition, possession, declaration, injunction and accounting of properties claimed to be Joint Hindu Family assets against the elder son, his wife and other family members. The elder son’s wife (defendant No.2) and subsequent purchasers (defendants No.5 …

SAROJ SALKANversusHUMA SINGH & ORS.

2025 INSC 632Dismissed

The appellant, Saroj Salkan, filed a partition suit under Section 6 of the Hindu Succession Act seeking division of five properties inherited from her father, Major General Budh Singh, against the legal heirs of her brother and sister. The Single Judge of the Delhi High Court dismissed the suit …

SRI MAHESHversusSANGRAM & ORS

2025 INSC 14Case Partly allowed

The appellant, an adopted son, claimed entitlement to half of his adoptive mother's joint family property and challenged two alienations— a sale deed (2007) and a gift deed (2008) executed by the adoptive mother after his adoption. The dispute hinged on whether the adoption of a widow’s son relates …

TIRITH KUMAR & ORS.versusDADURAM & ORS.

[2024] 12 S.C.R. 665Dismissed

The dispute concerned 13.95 acres of land originally owned by Mardan, who died in 1951, before the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 came into force. The appellants (descendants of Puni Ram) claimed exclusive ownership, while the respondents (Mardan’s daughters and their heirs) sought a share. The pivotal …

TEJ BHAN (D) THROUGH LR. & ORS.versusRAM KISHAN (D) THROUGH LRS. & ORS.

2024 INSC 945

The appeal concerned the interpretation of Section 14 of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, specifically the interplay between sub‑sections (1) and (2) regarding whether a Hindu female's possession of property, whether by will, gift, or maintenance, confers absolute ownership or a restricted estate. …

RAMACHANDRAN & ORS.versusVIJAYAN & ORS.

2024 INSC 885Dismissed

The case concerned the devolution of property governed by Marumakkathayam law in a Kerala joint family. The dispute arose over two sets of scheduled properties: one acquired through a 1950 partition deed and the other through a mortgage deed after the death of a male member. The key questions were …

MULAKALA MALLESHWARA RAO & ANR.versusSTATE OF TELANGANA & ANR.

2024 INSC 639Appeal(s) allowed

The father of a divorced woman filed an FIR in 2021 alleging that his former in‑laws had retained the gold ornaments he had given as stridhan at his daughter's 1999 marriage. The daughter had divorced in 2015, remarried in 2018, and a separation agreement had already settled all marital property. …

MUKATLALversusKAILASH CHAND (D) THROUGH LRS. AND ORS.

2024 INSC 428Appeal(s) allowed

The appeal concerned Mukatlal's challenge to a revenue suit filed by Kailash Chand, the adopted son and legal heir of the Hindu widow Smt. Nandkanwarbai, seeking partition of an unpartitioned joint Hindu family estate under Section 14(1) of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956. The Supreme Court examined …

SACHIDHANANDAM SINCE DEAD THROUGH HIS LRS.versusE. VANAJA AND ORS.

2023 INSC 984Disposed off

The case concerned a partition suit filed by E. Vanaja, the widow of a pre‑deceased son, seeking a share in the properties of her mother‑in‑law under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956. The trial court awarded her a one‑eighth share; the first appellate court reduced it to one‑sixteenth of certain …

DERHAversusVISHAL & ANR.

2023 INSC 785Dismissed

The case concerned the share of Derha Ram, son of Kesar Bai, in Mitakshara coparcenary property of his grandfather Phannuram Sahu who died in 1959. Kesar Bai had filed a partition suit claiming her ancestral share; after her death, Derha succeeded to her estate. The trial court awarded Derha a …

REVANASIDDAPPA & ANR.versusMALLIKARJUN & ORS.

2023 INSC 783Reference answered

The appeal concerned the inheritance rights of children born of void or voidable Hindu marriages who are legitimated under Section 16(1) or 16(2) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. The central issue was whether such children are entitled to a share in the ancestral or coparcenary property of their …

PRASANTA KUMAR SAHOO & ORS.versusCHARULATA SAHU & ORS.

2023 INSC 319Dismissed

The case involved a partition suit concerning the ancestral and self‑acquired properties of the late Kumar Sahoo, claimed by his daughter Charulata Sahu and contested by the heirs of his son Prafulla Sahoo. The trial court issued a preliminary decree allocating a one‑sixth share to the daughter in …

ELUMALAI @ VENKATESAN & ANRversusM. KAMALA AND ORS. & ETC.

2023 INSC 83Dismissed

The case concerned the self‑acquired property of Sengalani Chettiar, who had two marriages. His son Chandran (the father of the appellants) executed a release deed in 1975, relinquishing any claim to the property in return for valuable consideration, and stating he would have no further connection …

KAMLA NETI (DEAD) THROUGH LRS.versusTHE SPECIAL LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER & ORS.

2022 INSC 1264Dismissed

The appellant, Kamla Neti, a daughter of a coparcener belonging to a Scheduled Tribe, claimed a one‑fifth share of compensation awarded for land acquired by the State, invoking the survivorship right under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956. The Reference Court and the Orissa High Court rejected her …

HAR NARAINI DEVI & ANRversusUNION OF INDIA & ORS.

2022 INSC 988Dismissed

The appellants, the widow and daughter of Ishwar Singh, challenged the validity of Section 50(a) of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954, claiming it violated Articles 14, 15, 21 and was repugnant to the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 after the latter's Section 4(2) was deleted by the 2005 amendment. The …

M. V CHANDRAKANTHversusSANGAPPPA & ORS

2022 INSC 769Dismissed

M. V. Chandrakanth (appellant) challenged a Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court that had set aside a Single Judge's order dismissing a writ petition filed by Respondent No.1, who claimed Other Backward Class (OBC) reservation as a member of the Ganiga caste. The central issue was whether a …

KASABAI TUKARAM KARVAR & ORS.versusNIVRUTI (DEAD) THROUGH LEGAL HEIRS & ORS

2022 INSC 733Dismissed

The father of the parties died in 1948, leaving a daughter who was born ten days later. The mother subsequently adopted a son in 1949. The daughter filed a suit for partition of the family property, claiming a share as a coparcener under the pre‑1956 Hindu law. The High Court, applying the doctrine …

B. R. PATILversusTULSA Y. SAWKAR & ORS.

2022 INSC 165Dismissed

The appeal concerned a partition suit filed by the sisters of the deceased R.M. Patil seeking one‑fifth shares in five properties alleged to be self‑acquired by him. The appellant argued that the suit should fail for non‑joinder of his uncle, for omission of certain properties, and on the ground of …

JOGI RAMversusSURESH KUMAR & ORS

2022 INSC 131Appeal(s) allowed

The case concerned a Will dated 15 April 1968 in which Tulsi Ram bequeathed half of his self‑acquired property to his second wife, Ram Devi, as a limited life interest, with the remainder to pass to his son, Jogi Ram, after her death. The question was whether Ram Devi’s interest became an absolute …

ARUNACHALA GOUNDER (DEAD) BY LRS.versusPONNUSAMY AND ORS.

2022 INSC 74Appeal(s) allowed

The appeal concerned a partition suit filed by the daughter of Ramasamy Gounder, who claimed a one‑fifth share in property that was originally purchased by his brother Marappa Gounder in 1938. The lower courts held that Marappa died in 1949, that the property was joint family property and thus …

M.R. VINODAversusM.S. SUSHEELAMMA (D) BY LRS. AND OTHERS

2021 INSC 878Dismissed

The case involved three branches of a Mitakshara joint Hindu family that executed a partition deed in 1961. In 1969 the eldest brother of one branch, acting as Karta, and a cousin executed a relinquishment deed surrendering their branch's share in favour of the eldest uncle who had repaid a family …

KHUSHI RAM & ORS.versusNAWAL SINGH & ORS.

2021 INSC 106Dismissed

The case concerned a consent decree dated 19‑08‑1991 that confirmed a family settlement whereby Smt. Jagno, a Hindu widow, transferred her half‑share in agricultural land to her nephews. The appellants challenged the decree on two grounds: (i) that the decree should have been registered under …

VINEETA SHARMAversusRAKESH SHARMA & ORS.

2020 INSC 487Directions issued

The Supreme Court examined the interpretation of Section 6 of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 as amended by the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005. It held that the amendment confers coparcenary status on daughters—whether born before or after the amendment—on and from 9 September 2005, giving …

V. KALYANASWAMY (D) BY LRS. & ANR.versusL. BAKTHAVATSALAM (D) BY LRS. & ORS.

2020 INSC 455Dismissed

The case involves a property dispute between the branch of Lakshmiah Naidu (respondents) and legatees under a Will (appellants) of Rangaswami Naidu, who died on 01.06.1955 before the Hindu Succession Act, 1956. The appellants claimed that Rangaswami Naidu had severed the joint family status through …

SRI MARTHANDA VARMA (D) THR. LRS. & ANR.versusSTATE OF KERALA & ORS.

2020 INSC 451Disposed off

The case concerns the management of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, which has been historically managed by the Travancore royal family. After the integration of princely states, a Covenant in 1949 and the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950 preserved the …

VARADARAJANversusKANAKAVALLI & ORS.

2020 INSC 75Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, Varadarajan, sought to execute a decree in favour of the deceased decree‑holder Umadevi by filing an application as her legal representative under a Will. The Executing Court allowed the application, but the High Court, in revision under Section 115 of the CPC, set aside that order on …

M. ARUMUGAMversusAMMANIAMMAL AND ORS.

2020 INSC 14Appeal(s) allowed

Moola Gounder died intestate leaving two sons, his wife and three daughters. The father's one‑third share in the coparcenary property was to be inherited by the six legal heirs. The youngest daughter, then a minor, sued for partition, alleging that a release deed executed by her mother (her natural …

RADHA BAIversusRAM NARAYAN & ORS.

2019 INSC 1273Dismissed

The appellant, Radha Bai, claimed a half‑share in a piece of land that was originally part of the ancestral property of her great‑grandfather Sukhdeo. After Sukhdeo's death in 1965, his two sons Janakram and Pilaram partitioned the land in 1967, giving Janakram the exclusive share, which he later …

MISHRA AND S. ABDUL NAZEER, JJ.]versusSARAH C. URS & ORS.

2019 INSC 1186Disposed off

The suit concerned a house inherited by the late K. Basavaraja Urs and his son K.B. Ramchandra Raj Urs (defendant No.1). Plaintiffs Sarah C. Urs and P. Chandrakantaraj Urs entered into an agreement to purchase the property on 24 April 1979, with the late father acting through his son as power of …

JAGBIR SINGHversusSTATE

2019 INSC 1000Dismissed

Jagbir Singh was convicted of murder (Sec. 302 IPC) and criminal intimidation (Sec. 506 IPC) for allegedly pouring kerosene on his wife and setting her ablaze. The victim gave three statements: two early statements (24‑01‑2008 and 25‑01‑2008) describing an accidental fire, and a later dying …

STATE OF RAJASTHAN AND ORS.versusLORD NORTHBOOK AND ORS.

2019 INSC 969Matter referred to larger bench

The testator, Raja Sardar Singh, died in 1987 without apparent legal heirs and had executed a will bequeathing his assets to the Khetri Trust. The Trust sought probate, which was dismissed by the Delhi High Court, while agnates also objected. The Rajasthan Collector, after an inquiry, initiated …

ARSHNOOR SINGHversusHARPAL KAUR & ORS.

2019 INSC 708Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, Arshnoor Singh, is the great‑grandson of Lal Singh whose agricultural land passed to his son Inder Singh in 1951, before the Hindu Succession Act, 1956. The property was partitioned among Inder Singh’s three sons in 1964, and the share allotted to Dharam Singh (the appellant’s father) …

DR RS GREWAL & ORS.versusCHANDER PARKASH SONI & ANR.

2019 INSC 543Dismissed

The case concerned a suit for possession of a shop in Ludhiana filed by the grandson and great‑grandson of Dr. Hira Singh, who claimed title after the death of the testator’s widowed daughter, Shiv Dev Kaur, who held a life interest under a 1944 will. The daughter had created a tenancy with the …

SHAILNDRA KUMAR JAIN AND OTHERSversusMAYA PRAKASH JAIN AND OTHERS

2019 INSC 501Disposed off

In 1966 a son filed a suit for partition of his parents' joint family property, which was decreed by compromise among the parents and three brothers. After the decree, in 2006 one of the brothers (Maya Prakash Jain) filed a suit claiming exclusive ownership of certain properties, asserting a later …

AJIT KAUR @ SURJIT KAURversusDARSHAN SINGH (DEAD) THROUGH LRS. & ORS.

2019 INSC 462Dismissed

The Supreme Court examined whether a Hindu widow’s mere possession of property, without any recognized claim, right or devise, converts her limited interest into absolute ownership under Section 14(1) of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956. The appellant, Ajit Kaur, claimed that her mother Banti’s oral …

BABU RAMversusSANTOKH SINGH (DECEASED) THROUGH HIS LRS AND OTHERS

2019 INSC 335Dismissed

Two brothers inherited agricultural land in Himachal Pradesh; one brother sold his share to Babu Ram, prompting the other brother to seek a prohibitory injunction claiming a preferential right under Section 22 of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956. The trial court dismissed the suit, but the appellate …

BASANTI DEVI (DEAD) BY LRS & ORSversusRATI RAM & ORS.

2018 INSC 459Dismissed

The plaintiffs, heirs of Har Narain, sued the widow of Sheo Lal (C) for possession of a one‑sixth share of agricultural land after she died. The land had been subject to a 1932 compromise decree granting Sheo Lal only a limited, non‑transferable right to use the land, and upon his death, the widow …

MANGAMMAL @ THULASI AND ANR.versusT.B. RAJU AND ORS.

2018 INSC 372Case Partly allowed

The appellants, daughters of the late T.G. Basuvan, filed a suit for partition and possession of ancestral lands that had been leased and later sold by their brother, the respondent. The trial court dismissed the suit, holding the daughters were not entitled to partition, a decision upheld by the …

SITA RAM BHAMAversusRAMVATAR BHAMA

2018 INSC 260Case Partly allowed

The father of the parties, a self‑acquired owner of a house and a shop, decided to divide his property on 25‑Oct‑1992 but died on 10‑Sep‑1993. The surviving brothers recorded a memorandum of settlement on 9‑Sep‑1994, signed by their mother and sisters, allocating the entire property between them. …

DANAMMA @ SUMAN SURPUR & ANR.versusAMAR AND ORS.

2018 INSC 84Appeal(s) allowed

Gurulingappa Savadi died in 2001 leaving a widow, two sons and two daughters (the appellants). A partition suit was filed in 2002 by one son, Amar, seeking a share of the joint family property. The trial court (decree 2007) and the Karnataka High Court denied the daughters any share, holding they …

MR. RANVIR DEWANversusMRS. RASHMI KHANNA & ANR.

2017 INSC 1219

The deceased B.R. Dewan owned a house which he bequeathed by will: the ground floor to his son Ranvir, the first floor to his daughter Rashmi, and a "life interest" to his second wife, Mrs. Pritam, to reside and collect rent. After his death, a dispute arose and Ranvir (appellant) and his mother …

ATMA SINGHversusGURMEJ KAUR (D) & ORS.

2017 INSC 901Dismissed

Narain Singh died intestate in 1952 leaving his wife Gurmej Kaur and three sons, including Pal Singh. Gurmej remarried later that year. Pal Singh died intestate in 1972 without issue, and his mother claimed inheritance of his estate. The question was whether Section 2 of the Hindu Widow's …

KARUNANIDHIversusSEETHARAMA NAIDU & ORS.

2017 INSC 272Appeal(s) allowed

The appeal arose from a suit filed in 1988 by the great‑grandson and great‑granddaughter of Perumal Naidu (plaintiffs) seeking declaration and possession of properties that had been bequeathed by their great‑grandmother Alamelu Ammal to her sister Ramanujatha Ammal (defendant). The plaintiffs …

DURGA PRASADversusNARAYAN RAMCHANDAANI (D) THR. LRS.

2017 INSC 116Dismissed

The suit premises were originally let to the plaintiff's father‑in‑law in 1940; after his death the tenancy passed to his son Baldev, and subsequently to Baldev's wife Lalita. Upon Lalita's death, her brother Durga Prasad claimed to inherit the tenancy and resisted eviction by the landlord. The …

STATE OF GUJARATversusMALIBEN NATHUBHAI (D) THROUGH LRS &ORS.

[2017] 2 S.C.R. 779Appeal(s) allowed

Bhulabhai Bhikhabhai, the Karta of a joint Hindu family, died intestate in 1947 leaving a widow, two sons and two daughters. When the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulations) Act, 1976 came into force, only the surviving son, Balubhai, filed a declaration under Section 6(1) claiming the entire land; the …

RAMESH VERMA (D) TR. LRS.versusLAJESH SAXENA (D) BY LRS & ANR.

2016 INSC 1053Dismissed

The case arose from a partition suit filed by the deceased Lajesh Saxena seeking a share in the joint Hindu family property. The trial court allotted shares, which the High Court altered by increasing the daughter’s share to one‑eighth and rejecting the validity of three wills under Section 68 of …

HIRAL P. HARSORA AND ORS.versusKUSUM NAROTTAMDAS HARSORA AND ORS.

2016 INSC 955Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined the definition of "respondent" in Section 2(q) of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, which limited it to an "adult male person". The Court held that this restriction bore no rational relation to the Act's purpose of protecting women from all forms of …

NIDHI KAIMversusSTATE OF MADHYA PRADESH & OTHERS ETC.

2017 INSC 131Directions issued

The appellants, who had secured admission to medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh through the Pre‑Medical Entrance Test (PMT), challenged the cancellation of their results and admissions on the grounds that the Vyapam Board was not validly constituted under the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination …

UTTAMversusSAUBHAG SINGH & ORS.

2016 INSC 236

Uttam filed a suit for partition of a property claiming a one‑eighth share as a coparcener, asserting that the land was ancestral. The trial court decreed in his favour, but the first appellate court reversed, holding that the grandfather’s death in 1973, leaving a widow (a Class I heir), invoked …

JUPUDYPARDHASARATHYversusPENTAPATI RAMA KRISHNA AND OTHERS

2015 INSC 834Dismissed

The case concerned a property bequeathed by P. Venkata Subba Rao in 1920 to his third wife Veeraghavamma for her lifetime as maintenance. After the husband's death, Veeraghavamma occupied the house, and the question arose whether her limited life interest under the Will became an absolute right …

PRAKASH & ORS.versusPHULAVATI & ORS.

2015 INSC 793Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined whether the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 (sections 6(1), 6(3), 6(5)) operates retrospectively. The appellant‑appellants argued that the amendment should not apply to a daughter whose father, a coparcener, died before the Act’s commencement, contending that the …

KIRPAL KAURversusJITENDER PAL SINGH & ORS.

2015 INSC 494Appeal(s) allowed

Kirpal Kaur filed a partition suit seeking her late husband's share in a Delhi building (schedule ‘B’ property). The trial court and the Delhi High Court held the property to be self‑acquired by her father‑in‑law and denied her any share. On appeal, the Supreme Court examined the evidence, including …

MAHILA RAMKALI DEVI AND OTHERSversusNANDRAM (D) THR. LRS. AND OTHERS

2015 INSC 412Case Partly allowed

The plaintiff filed a suit in 1964 seeking declaration of title and possession of agricultural land based on a will executed by Ajuddhibai. The trial court upheld the will, rejected alleged sale deeds and granted possession to the plaintiff. The defendants appealed, and the High Court reversed the …

H. LAKSHMAIAH REDDY & ORS.versusL. VENKATESH REDDY

2015 INSC 335Appeal(s) allowed

The plaintiff, son of Guramma and the first defendant, claimed ownership of a property originally purchased by his mother and later mutated in his name after her death, asserting that the first defendant had relinquished his half‑share. The first defendant, who later remarried, contested this, …

DHANUULALAND OTHERSversusGANESHRAMANDANOTHER

2015 INSC 295Dismissed

The dispute concerned a property inherited by Phoolbasa Bai after her husband's death and a subsequent sale of a portion of that property to Mukesh Kumar Chourasia. The plaintiff, Ganeshram, challenged both the validity of a 1977 will favouring Phoolbasa Bai's brothers and the 1987 sale deed, …

KAREDLA PARTHASARADHIversusGANGULA RAMANAMMA (D) THROUGH L.RS & ORS.

2014 INSC 835Directions issued

The deceased K. Satyanarayna died intestate, and his brother Karedla Parthasaradhi claimed inheritance of the suit house. Defendant Gangula Ramanamma (defendant No.1) asserted that she was the deceased's legally married wife, having lived with him for over three decades, and thus claimed ownership …

PEMMADA PRABHAKAR & ORS.versusYOUNGMENS VYSYA ASSOCIATION & ORS.

2014 INSC 549Case Partly allowed

The suit involved a self‑acquired, intestate property of the deceased Pemmada Venkateswara Rao, which devolved equally among his wife, three sons and three daughters under the Hindu Succession Act. The plaintiffs sought specific performance of a sale agreement that was executed only by two of the …

C.B.I.versusASHOK KUMAR AGGARWAL & ANR.

2013 INSC 777Dismissed

The CBI appealed against the Delhi High Court’s order quashing a Special Judge’s grant of pardon to respondent No.2 (Abhishek Verma) under Section 306 of the CrPC, who had confessed to forging a fax message on the instructions of respondent No.1 (Ashok Kumar Aggarwal). The Supreme Court examined the …

ROHIT CHAUHANversusSURINDER SINGH & ORS.

2013 INSC 466Appeal(s) allowed

The plaintiff Rohit Chauhan sued to declare that his father's sale and release deeds alienating 104 kanals of land were void, arguing that the land was ancestral coparcenary property. The father, Guiab Singh, had received the land in a partition of his father's estate and later, after Rohit's birth …

RAMJI GUPTA & ANR.versusGOPI KRISHAN AGRAWAL (D) & ORS.

2013 INSC 242Dismissed

The dispute involved a landlord-tenant suit where the tenants claimed ownership of a shop based on a sale deed executed by a life‑estate holder, Janki Bibi (2nd). An earlier 1958 judgment had held that Janki Bibi possessed only a life interest and could not transfer the property. The Small Causes …

VENKATARAJA & ORS.versusVIDYANE DOURERADJAPERUMAL (D) THR.LRS. & ORS.

2013 INSC 236Dismissed

The appellants sought a declaration of title to a property in Pondicherry, alleging that a prior sale by a Hindu widow who held only a life estate was void. The trial court dismissed the suit for lack of a claim for possession, a decision upheld by the High Court, which also held that the widow had …

SHIVDEV KAUR (D) BY LRS. & ORS.versusR.S. GREWAL

2013 INSC 177Dismissed

Dr. Hira Singh's 1944 will granted his daughter Shivdev Kaur a life interest in a property. After the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 came into force, Shivdev Kaur claimed that the life interest had crystallised into an absolute title under Section 14 of the Act. The lower courts held that the life …

JAGAN SINGH (DEAD) THROUGH LRS.versusDHANWANTI & ANR.

[2012] 2 S.C.R. 303Disposed off

The appellant, representing the estate of Jagan Singh, sought a permanent injunction to prevent Dhanwanti, the widow of the testator, from selling a parcel of bhumidhari land that had been bequeathed to her with a restriction limiting her rights to her lifetime. The lower courts held that the …

GANDURI KOTESHWARAMMA & ANR.versusCHAKIRI YANADI & ANR.

2011 INSC 757Appeal(s) allowed

A suit for partition of a Mitakshara coparcenary property was filed by a son (respondent No.1) against his father, brother and two sisters (the appellants). The trial court passed a preliminary decree in 1999, amended in 2003, determining the parties' shares, but a final decree had not been …

MARABASAPPA (D) BY LRS. & ORS.versusNINGAPPA (D) BY LRS. & ORS.

2011 INSC 665Appeal(s) allowed

The dispute concerned lands acquired by Parwatevva, a Hindu woman, after her marriage. The plaintiffs alleged that all the properties were joint Hindu family assets and sought a one‑third share for each son, while the defendants contended that the lands were Parwatevva's self‑acquired or stridhana …

PREMAversusNANJE GOWDA AND OTHERS

2011 INSC 372Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, an unmarried daughter, sought to increase her share in a joint Hindu family property after the Karnataka legislature inserted Section 6A into the Hindu Succession Act, granting daughters equal coparcenary rights. A preliminary decree in the partition suit had already fixed her share …

MAN SINGH (D) BY LRS.versusRAM KALA (D) BY LRS. & ORS.

2010 INSC 865Disposed off

Soran died intestate leaving two wives, a son and three daughters. Shingari, one of the widows, had a son Man Singh from a prior marriage. Man Singh sued Shingari claiming ownership of land based on a 1978 family settlement, asserting she held a one‑fifth share after Soran's death; the trial court …

HARI CHAND ROACHversusHEM CHAND AND ORS.

2010 INSC 748Appeal(s) allowed

The case concerned two joint family properties in Himachal Pradesh where the widow Jamni inherited her husband Hari Ram's one‑third share. Through a family arrangement she relinquished her share in one parcel (Chak Kaljer) and received the brothers‑in‑law's shares in the other parcel (Chak Nani), …

SRI RAMAKRISHNA MUTT REP. BY MANAGERversusM. MAHESWARAN AND ORS.

2010 INSC 684Dismissed

Kannabiran Pillai executed settlement deeds in 1938, 1939 and 1943 creating a life interest in his second wife Kumudammal over certain properties, with the remainder to pass to Sri Ramakrishna Mutt after her death. Kumudammal occupied the property and collected rents from 4 March 1939, while Pillai …

KAMMANA SAMBAMURTHY (D) BY LRS.versusKALIPATNAPU ATCHUTAMMA (D) AND ORS.

2010 INSC 697Dismissed

The vendee, Kammana Sambamurthy, entered into a sale agreement with the vendor, Kalipatnapu Kamaraju, for an entire house, paying an advance of Rs.10,000. The vendor's wife, Kalipatnapu Atchutamma, later claimed a half‑share in the property under Section 14 of the Hindu Succession Act and sought …

GADDAM RAMAKRISHNAREDDY & ORS.versusGADDAM RAMI REDDY & ANR.

2010 INSC 611Dismissed

In 1952 G. Pullareddy gifted a life estate in his share of family property to his wife Sheshamma, stipulating that after her death the property would pass to his minor son G. Ramireddy. After Pullareddy's death, Sheshamma executed relinquishment, sale deeds and a will. Ramireddy sued to declare …

S.R. SRINAVASA AND ORS.versusS. PADMAVATHAMMA

2010 INSC 236Disposed off

The suit concerned a schedule property inherited by the mother (P) after her husband's death. After P's death, her daughter I possessed the property, but upon I's death, Defendant No.1 (a relative of P) took possession and claimed ownership based on a Will dated 18‑June‑1974 allegedly executed by P …

DWARIKA PRASADversusNIRMALA AND ORS.

2009 INSC 1317Dismissed

The father of the respondent filed a partition suit in 1955 which was decreed, but after a series of appeals the suit was dismissed as withdrawn through applications that were later alleged to be forged. After the father's death, the daughter, as his legal representative, sought restoration of the …

SHIPRA SENGUPTAversusMRIDUL SENGUPTA & OTHERS

2009 INSC 1058

Shyamal Sengupta, a bank employee, died intestate leaving his widow Shipra Sengupta, his mother Niharbala Sengupta and his brothers as survivors. He had earlier nominated his mother as the nominee for his provident fund accounts. The widow claimed a share of the provident fund, arguing that the …

APPAJI GOWDAversusVOKKALIGARA SANGHA & ORS.

2009 INSC 1027Disposed off

A widow executed a will appointing her nephew as executor, who later created a trust (Vokkaligara Sangha) over the landed property. Disputes arose over ownership, leading to land‑reforms proceedings, a suit for declaration by the trust, and a settlement in which the trust limited its claim to a …

G.VARALAKSHMI & ANR.versusG.SRINIVASA RAO(D) THROUGH LRS. & ANR

2009 INSC 1020Disposed off

The case concerned a dispute over the partition of certain properties originally belonging to G.R. Kuppuswamy Naidu, who had acquired them by a Will executed by his father in 1921. After Kuppuswamy's death, his sons and their descendants claimed the properties, while the plaintiffs argued that the …

M. YOGENDRA & ORS.versusLEELAMMA N. & ORS

2009 INSC 962Appeal(s) allowed

K. Doddananjundaiah, a coparcener, had three daughters by his first wife and a son Dinesh by a second wife Yashodamma. After K's death, the daughters (appellants) claimed a one‑third share of the partitioned property, contending that the second marriage was void and that Dinesh, born after the Hindu …

AMRIT LAL AND ORS.versusMAHARANI AND ORS.

2009 INSC 939Dismissed

The appeal concerned a Mitakshara coparcenary property that the appellants claimed had become self‑acquired after a lease (patta) was allegedly granted by the village Zamindar under the Oudh Rent Act, 1886. The respondents contended that the land remained ancestral joint‑family property and that any …

GANGAMMA ETC.versusG. NAGARATHNAMMA & ORS. ETC.

2009 INSC 860Case Partly allowed

The respondents, a mother and her minor daughter, filed a partition suit claiming a one‑third share in certain agricultural and urban properties, alleging that the properties were ancestral joint‑family assets. The trial court awarded them a one‑sixth share, but the High Court reversed, holding that …

OMPRAKASH & ORS.versusRADHACHARAN & ORS.

2009 INSC 671Dismissed

The case concerned the intestate succession of self‑acquired property of Narayani Devi, a widow who was expelled from her matrimonial home and lived with her parents. After her death, her mother and her brothers applied for a succession certificate, while the heirs of her husband also claimed the …

G. SEKARversusGEETHA & ORS

2009 INSC 503Dismissed

The appeal arose from a partition suit concerning the self‑acquired property of the deceased Govinda Singh, who allegedly left a will in favour of his son (the appellant). The daughters contested the will’s validity and sought partition of the dwelling house. The key legal issue was the effect of …

SHYAM LAL @ KULDEEPversusSANJEEV KUMAR & ORS

2009 INSC 504Dismissed

Shyam Lal (plaintiff) sued Sanjeev Kumar and others to declare that a mutation in favour of the defendants, who were grandsons of the deceased BR, was illegal because the land was ancestral property that could not be bequeathed by will. The defendants produced a registered will dated 4‑12‑1978 in …

VISHWANATH BAPURAO SABALEversusSHALINIBAI NAGAPPA SABALE & ORS.

2009 INSC 390Dismissed

The case concerned a dispute over joint and self‑acquired properties of step‑brothers Bapurao and Shivappa. In 1955 four registered deeds – a partition deed, a sale deed and two settlement deeds – were executed, allegedly to protect Bapurao’s assets from creditors. After Shivappa’s death, the heirs …

PARMANAND PATEL (D) BY LR. & ORS.versusSUDHA A. CHOWGULE & ORS.

2009 INSC 338Disposed off

The Supreme Court examined an appeal challenging a Bombay High Court interim order that appointed the High Court’s Official Receiver for the assets of a company and gave Sudha A. Chowgule exclusive powers to execute documents and induct tenants. The Court reiterated that under Order 40 Rule 1 of the …

SNEH GUPTAversusDEVI SARUP & ORS.

2009 INSC 201Dismissed

The appellant, Sneh Gupta, an heir of Munni Devi, challenged a compromise decree that had been entered into by the original plaintiff Veena Nirwani and certain defendants during the pendency of two suits concerning land mutation and alleged fraud. The compromise resulted in the withdrawal of both …

KOMALAM AMMAversusKUMARA PILLAI RAGHAVAN PILLAI AND ORS.

2008 INSC 1305Disposed off

The husband filed a suit for declaration of title and possession of a schedule property where his wife and children were residing. The trial court and the first appellate court decreed possession in favour of the husband. The wife appealed, asserting her right to reside in the matrimonial home and …

BALJINDER SINGHversusRATTAN SINGH

2008 INSC 907Disposed off

The case concerned the alienation of undivided co‑parcenary property by a Hindu coparcener through a gift deed, two sale deeds and a will. The Supreme Court held that a gift by a coparcener of his undivided interest in joint family property is void, and that the validity of the sale deeds must be …

RAJINDER SINGHversusSTATE OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR AND ORS.

2008 INSC 808Case Allowed

Makhan Singh, a displaced person, was allotted agricultural land in Jammu & Kashmir under Government Order No. 254 of 1965 and his ownership was entered in the Jamabandi of 1966‑67. After his death in 1981, the Tehsildar mutated the entry in favour of his two sons, Rajinder Singh and Daljit Singh. …

G. RAMAversusT.G. SESHAGIRI RAO (D) BY LRS.

2008 INSC 771Dismissed

The suit property was a house jointly purchased in 1963 by T.G. Seshagiri Rao and his uncle T.K. Vasudeva Murthy. The uncle later relinquished his interest to Rao by a release deed in 1989, making Rao the absolute owner. After the death of her husband (Vasudeva Murthy's son), the appellant, G. Rama, …

RANGANAYAKAMMA AND ANOTHERversusK.S. PRAKASH (D) BY L.RS. AND OTHERS

2008 INSC 711Dismissed

The case involved two sisters who challenged a 1983 deed of partition and relinquishment of their rights in family properties in favour of their brothers, alleging fraud and lack of consideration. The lower courts had held that the properties were joint family assets, the partition was a family …

ASHUTOSH CHATURVEDIversusPRANO DEVI @ PARANI DEVI & ORS.

2008 INSC 509Dismissed

The predecessor of the appellant filed a suit on 21 May 1990 for declaration of title, possession and setting aside a sale deed. During the pendency, two further sale deeds were executed, and an interim order of status quo was granted. Thirteen years later, on 11 June 2003, the appellant sought to …

KRISHNA KUMAR BIRLAversusRAJENDRA SINGH LODHA AND OTHERS

2008 INSC 424Disposed off

The case concerned the grant of probate of a 1999 will of Smt. Priyamvada Devi Birla (PDB) and earlier 1982 mutual wills executed by her and her husband. Several members of the Birla family filed caveats claiming a "caveatable interest" in the estate, while Rajendra Singh Lodha (RSL) sought probate …

MOHD. HUSSAIN (DEAD) BY LRS. AND ORS.versusGOPIBAI AND ORS.

2008 INSC 215Case Allowed

The Supreme Court examined two questions arising from a suit for redemption of a mortgage. First, it held that the second appeal did not abate despite the death of respondent Mohd. Hussain because some of his heirs were already on record, and the only procedural step required was to note his death …

CHEROTTE SUGATHAN (DIED THROUGH LR'S) & ORS.versusCHEROTTE BHARATHI & ORS.

2008 INSC 207Dismissed

The deceased Sri Pervakutty executed a will in 1975 bequeathing his property to his sons, while providing a monthly allowance and residence right to his wife. After Pervakutty's death, his son Sukumaran died in 1976 and the widow remarried in 1979. The widow filed a partition suit in 1985 claiming …

BHANWAR SINGHversusPURAN AND ORS.

2008 INSC 179Dismissed

The appellant, Bhanwar Singh, son of Sant Ram, challenged a mortgage and sale of land made by his father in 1985 to the respondents, arguing that the land was joint family property and could not be alienated without legal necessity. The land originally belonged to the appellant's paternal …

SANTHOSH AND ORS.versusSARASWATHIBAI AND ANR.

2007 INSC 1168Dismissed

The case arose from a consent decree dated 20 July 1964 that allotted 6 acres 33 guntas of land to Sundrabai, the first wife of the deceased Trimukhrao, for her maintenance, with a restriction that the land would revert to the second wife and her son after Sundrabai's death. After Sundrabai died in …

BASANTI DEVIversusRAVIPRAKASH RAMPRASAD JAISWAL

2007 INSC 1080Appeal(s) allowed

A Hindu widow executed a will in favour of the respondent. After her death, the respondent obtained a grant of probate from the High Court, but failed to disclose that the testator owned property in Uttar Pradesh and did not publish citations there as required by Section 283(3) of the Indian …

S. RATHINAM@ KUPPAMUTHU AND ORS.versusL.S. MARIAPPAN AND ORS.

2007 INSC 650Dismissed

The case concerned a private family temple, Pechiamman Temple, whose management rights were disputed among two branches of the founding family. The plaintiff sought to invalidate the will of Lakshmanan Chettiar, arguing that the right to manage the temple (shebaitship) could not be transferred by …

SURAJ BHAN AND ORS.versusFINANCIAL COMMISSIONER AND ORS.

2007 INSC 424Disposed off

The appellants, descendants of Data Ram, challenged the mutation of agricultural land in favour of respondent No.5, which was based on a purported Will of Ratni Devi, a daughter of the original owner. The Supreme Court held that the genuineness of the Will is a matter for a competent civil court …

CHINTAMANI AMMALversusNANDAGOPAL GOUNDER AND ANR.

2007 INSC 170Dismissed

The appellant, Chintamani Ammal, claimed a share in agricultural land that was part of a joint Hindu family after her father, Kesava Gounder, died in 1943. She alleged that her father had expressed an intention to sever his joint family status before death, relying on oral testimony of her aunt. The …

CHANDRIKA SINGH (DEAD) BY LRS. AND ANR.versusSARJUG SINGH AND ANR.

2006 INSC 933Appeal(s) allowed

The case concerned land acquired under the Land Acquisition Act that had been mutated in the name of Damoder Mahto. After Damoder's death, his widow Koleshra Devi (Kaulashwari) possessed a share of the land in lieu of maintenance. She executed a deed of gift on 7 May 1960 in favour of the …

JAGANNATH AMINversusSEETHARAMA (DEAD) BY LRS. AND ORS.

2006 INSC 813Appeal(s) allowed

Jagannath Amin's mother filed a suit for partition of scheduled agricultural land, claiming she was a co‑owner and therefore in constructive possession of the property. The plaintiff argued that court fees should be computed under Section 35(2) of the Karnataka Court Fee and Suit Valuation Act, …

M/S BAY BERRY APARTMENTS PVT. LTD. AND ANR.versusSHOBHA AND ORS.

2006 INSC 740

The testator executed a 1932 Will granting his sons only a life interest in certain properties, with absolute succession to their heirs after death. In 1975 the son, then a minor at the time of the Will, and his own son sold the property to the appellants, although they possessed only a life …

SHEELA DEVI AND ORS.versusLAL CHAND AND ANR.

2006 INSC 680Case Partly allowed

The case concerned the devolution of a Mitakshara coparcenary property after the death of Babu Ram in 1989, who left two sons (born 1938 and 1956) and three daughters. The trial court held part of the property to be separate and part ancestral; the appellate courts affirmed, while the High Court …

ANAR DEVI AND ORS.versusPARMESHWARI DEVI AND ORS.

2006 INSC 628Appeal(s) allowed

Nagar Mal, a Mitakshara coparcener, adopted Nemi Chand, thereby creating a joint coparcenary. Upon Nagar Mal's intestate death in 1989, his undivided half‑share in the ancestral property had to be allotted among his three heirs – the adopted son and his two daughters. The trial court erroneously …

M. GURUDAS AND ORS.versusRASARANJAN AND ORS.

2006 INSC 599Appeal(s) allowed

The case concerned a dispute over several properties in Bangalore, where the respondents claimed that Nirmala, a natural daughter of Kadarappa, had been adopted by her uncle Obalappa and therefore inherited his estate. The Supreme Court examined whether a daughter can be validly adopted under Hindu …

SADHU SINGHversusGURDWARA SAHIB NARIKE AND ORS.

2006 INSC 586Appeal(s) allowed

Ralla Singh, a Hindu male, executed a will bequeathing his self‑acquired property to his wife Isher Kaur for life, with a restriction that she could not alienate the property and that after her death the two nephews would inherit. After Ralla's death, Isher Kaur gifted the property to a Gurdwara, …

DYANESHWAR RAMACHANDRA RAO PATANGEversusBHAGIRATHIBAI

2006 INSC 519Appeal(s) allowed

The plaintiff, a sister of the deceased brother, filed a suit for specific performance of a sale agreement concerning a house. The deceased had died leaving three sisters and his second wife, who had not remarried. The trial court upheld the suit, but the first appellate court held the plaintiff was …

THE GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AND ORS.versusM. KRISHNA VENI AND ORS.

2006 INSC 507Disposed off

The original owner of 119 acres filed a joint declaration under the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976 for himself, his wife and three sons, while two daughters filed separate declarations claiming land allotted to them under a family "Pasupu Kumkuma" arrangement. The competent authority …

GURDEV KAUR AND ORS.versusKAKI AND ORS

2006 INSC 231Appeal(s) allowed

The case concerned a dispute over the validity of a will executed by the deceased, Chanan Singh, in favour of his second wife, Bhagwan Kaur, which disinherited the daughters of his first wife. The trial court and the first appellate court upheld the will as a natural document executed by a sound …

JAGAT RAMversusVARINDER PRAKASH

2006 INSC 164Dismissed

Jagat Ram, son of Manshan, claimed possession of land that had been subject to a 1945 compromise granting life interest to Kirpi, widow of Sunder, and thereafter to Manshan. Kirpi later adopted Varinder Prakash and gifted the land to him. After Kirpi's death in 1967, Manshan filed a suit for …

SAROOP SINGHversusBANTO AND ORS.

2005 INSC 500Dismissed

The appellant, Saroop Singh, claimed ownership of suit properties that had been gifted to him by the widow, Indira Devi, who possessed only a life interest under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956. The respondents, Banto and others, were reversioners who sued for possession, asserting that the widow's …

PENTAKOTA SATYANARAYANA AND ORS.versusPENTAKOTA SEETHARATNAM AND ORS.

2005 INSC 458Appeal(s) allowed

Pentakota Srirammurthy executed a registered will in 1980 bequeathing a portion of his self‑acquired property to his first wife, Seetharatnam, and the remainder to his children by his second wife, Alla Kantamma. After his death, Seetharatnam and Krishna Bhagavan (who claimed to be an adopted son) …

T.N. RAJASEKARversusN. KASIVISWANATHAN AND ORS.

2005 INSC 321Disposed off

The appellant, a Class II heir of an unmarried, issueless deceased, filed a partition suit seeking his one-fifth share of the estate valued at Rs. 2,98,79,569. The trial judge allotted a house (Item No.6) worth Rs. 1,50,00,000 to the appellant, exceeding his share of Rs. 59,75,914, and ordered the …

VELLIKANNUversusR. SINGAPERUMAL AND ANR.

2005 INSC 267Dismissed

The appellant, Vellikannu, a daughter‑in‑law, claimed inheritance of the joint family property of her deceased father‑in‑law, Ramasami Konar, asserting her right as his widow. The sole son of the deceased, Respondent No.1, had murdered his father and was convicted under Section 302 IPC, later …

SHRI BANARSI DASSversusMRS. TEEKU DUTTA AND ANR.

2005 INSC 233Dismissed

The appellant, Banarsi Dass, objected to the grant of a succession certificate to Mrs. Teeku Dutta, alleging she was not the deceased's daughter. He moved an application under Order 151 CPC for a DNA test to establish paternity, which the trial court allowed. The Delhi High Court set aside that …

SHANMUGHASUNDARAM AND ORS.versusDIRAVIA NADAR (D) BY LRS. AND ANR.

2005 INSC 133Dismissed

Two brothers, who were co‑owners of inherited land with three sisters, entered into a sale agreement with the appellant and an arbitration agreement to fix the price. The first arbitral award was set aside by the civil court on two grounds: breach of natural justice and the fact that the sisters, …

THIAGARAJAN AND ORS.versusSRI VENUGOPALASWAMY B. KOIL AND ORS.

2004 INSC 176Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants filed a suit for declaration of title and permanent injunction over ancestral A and B Schedule properties, claiming inheritance rights. The trial court dismissed the suit, but the first appellate court allowed it, finding the appellants entitled to the properties. The respondents …

P.S. SAIRAM AND ANR.versusP.S. RAMA RAO PISEY AND ORS.

2004 INSC 82Case Partly allowed

The plaintiff filed a suit for partition of joint family property and rendition of accounts, alleging that the business carried on by his father (defendant No. I) on joint family land was a joint family business and that properties acquired from its income were joint family assets. The trial court …

UMA DEVI NAMBIAR AND ORS.versusT.C. SIDHAN (DEAD)

2003 INSC 705Appeal(s) allowed

The petitioners, daughters of the deceased, filed an application under Sections 192‑195 of the Indian Succession Act seeking possession of their ancestral house, alleging illegal occupation by the respondent who claimed title under a purported joint will. The District Judge, in a summary proceeding, …

R. KUPPAYEE AND ANR.versusRAJA GOUNDER

2003 INSC 700Appeal(s) allowed

The daughters (appellants) claimed ownership of a house and land settled on them by their father through a registered settlement deed, seeking a permanent injunction against the father’s attempts to evict them. The father contended that the deed was obtained by fraud, that he was only a witness to a …

V. DANDAPANI CHETTIARversusBALASUBRAMANIAN CHETTIAR (DEAD) BY LRS AND ORS.

2003 INSC 380Appeal(s) allowed

Rajathiammal, a female Hindu, acquired suit property from her maternal grandmother through a court‑sanctioned compromise decree. She died intestate and without issue on 1 July 1972. The appellant, V. Dandapani Chettiar, son of Rajathiammal's father, claimed that the property should devolve on the …

NAMDEV VYANKAT GHADGE AND ANR.versusCHANDRAKANT GANPAT GHADGE AND ORS.

2003 INSC 116Appeal(s) allowed

Vyankat, the sole surviving coparcener of a Hindu joint family, died on 8 February 1978. Four months later his widow Krishnabai adopted Dattatraya. The plaintiffs, Vyankat's children, sued for partition claiming their statutory shares, while the defendants argued that the adopted son was also …

SRILEKHA GHOSH (ROY) AND ANR.versusPARTHA SARATHI GHOSH

2002 INSC 294Disposed off

The case involved a dwelling house inherited by a brother (respondent) and his two sisters (appellants) who had received their shares by gift from their mother. The sisters filed a partition suit; during the proceedings the younger sister married and the brother sought to pre‑empt her share under …

SAU. SARASWATIBAI TRIMABAK GAIKWADversusDAMODHAR D. MOTIWALE AND ORS.

2002 INSC 170Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, Sau. Saraswati Bai Trimabak Gaikwad, cultivated land that she had leased from Tarabai, who held a limited right to possess the land under a 1927 settlement deed. Although a consent decree had earlier restrained Tarabai from leasing the land, the appellant filed an application under …

V. MUTHUSAMI (DEAD) BY LRSversusANGAMMAL AND ORS.

2002 INSC 101Appeal(s) allowed

The appellant, V. Muthusami (deceased), sued for specific performance of a sale agreement concerning a suit land, asserting that Angammal, a widow, had full ownership of the land. The court examined whether Angammal possessed a pre‑existing right of maintenance under Hindu law, which would give her …

MAULESHWAR MANI AND ORS.versusJAGDISH PRASAD AND ORS.

2002 INSC 43Appeal(s) allowed

Jamuna Prasad executed a Will in 1956 bequeathing his entire movable and immovable property, including Bhumadhari land, to his second wife Sona Devi with a right of alienation, and thereafter to the nine sons of his daughters from both wives. After the deaths of Jamuna Prasad (1961) and Sona Devi …

BHAGAT RAM (D) BY LRS.versusTEJA SINGH (D) BY LRS.

2001 INSC 561Appeal(s) allowed

The case concerned a piece of land originally allotted to the widow Kirpo, which was inherited by her daughters Santi and Indra. After Santi's death, the property was mutated in Indra's name. Bhagat Ram had entered into an agreement with Indra and sued for specific performance, obtaining a decree in …

THE BRAHMA VART SANATANversusKANHYALAL BAGLA AND OTHERS

2001 INSC 458Appeal(s) allowed

Durga Prasad Bagla executed a 1917 Will bequeathing all his estate to his third wife, Mst. Durgi, using the term "puree malik" indicating absolute ownership. After Durga's death, Durgi adopted Kanhaiya Lal, whose later suit sought possession of the property and declared Durgi's subsequent Will and …

MUNINANJAPPA AND ORS.versusR. MANUAL AND ANR.

2001 INSC 204

The appellant Muninanjappa claimed that a Will dated 1 June 1942 gave him and Guruswamy only a limited, non‑alienable life interest in a house, with absolute ownership only if a son was born. Guruswamy died without male issue and his widow Sevamma sold the property to respondents R. Manual and …

THIMMAIAH AND ORS.versusNINGAMMA AND ANR.

2000 INSC 414Case Partly allowed

The son of the deceased Karta filed a suit for partition of twelve properties, alleging that the Karta had illegally gifted two ancestral items to his second wife and four coparcenary items to his unmarried daughter. The trial court and the first appellate court held the gifts void for lack of …

RAJENDRA KUMARversusKALYAN (DEAD) BY LRS.

2000 INSC 370Dismissed

The appellant Rajendra Kumar claimed possession of property left by Mohanlal, asserting that he had been adopted by Radhabai, the widow of Mahadeo, who was allegedly an adopted son of Mohanlal. The lower courts held that the adoption of a child by a widow to her deceased husband under Section 8 of …

BALWANT KAUR AND ANR .versusCHANAN SINGH AND ORS.

2000 INSC 225Appeal(s) allowed

Sham Singh, the sole owner of a 47-kanal land, executed a will bequeathing two‑thirds of the property to his brothers and one‑third to his widowed daughter, Balwant Kaur, as a life interest that would revert to the brothers on her death. The daughter, a destitute dependent of her father, claimed …

MOOLCHANDversusKEDAR (DECEASED) BY LRS. AND ORS.

2000 INSC 35Dismissed

The appellant's wife, Smt. Kaushalya Devi, inherited a two-fifths share in two khatas from her father in 1944 and became a co‑bhumidar under the U.P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950. She died in 1953, before the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 came into force. The appellant claimed the …

RAMESHW ARI DEVIversusSTATE OF BIHAR

2000 INSC 31Dismissed

The case concerned the entitlement to family pension and death‑cum‑retirement gratuity of a deceased government employee who had two wives. The first wife, Rameshwari Devi, claimed the benefits for herself and her son, while the second wife, Yogmaya Devi, claimed benefits for herself and her four …

BHAGAT RAM (DEAD)versusTEJA SINGH

1999 INSC 150Appeal(s) allowed

Kehar Singh's widow Kirpo inherited land in Pakistan and, after partition, was allotted suit land in India. Upon Kirpo's death, her daughters Santi and Indro possessed the land, which later fell under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956. After Santi's death, Indro obtained mutation of the entire land and …

SMT. BENI BAIversusRAGHUBIR PRASAD

1999 INSC 83Appeal(s) allowed

The father of the appellant executed a 1935 will granting his house to the respondent after the death of his wife, Bhagwati Bai, who was given a life interest in lieu of maintenance. In 1962 Bhagwati Bai executed a gift deed transferring the house to her daughter, the appellant. The respondent sued …

RAGHUBIR SINGH AND ORS.versusGULAB SINGH AND ORS.

1998 INSC 250Appeal(s) allowed

Manraj Singh executed a will in 1946 leaving his entire property to his grandson Raghuvir Singh, but reserving "full control and ownership" of the property for himself and his wife Janak Dulari during their lifetimes. After Manraj's death Janak Dulari possessed the land; a compromise decree in 1947 …

SEETHALAKSHMI AMMALversusMUTHUVENKATARAMA IYENGAR AND ANR.

1998 INSC 173Case Allowed

Gomathi Ammal, a Hindu female, died intestate. Her husband and only son had predeceased her, and the appellant, the widow of that pre‑deceased son, filed a suit for declaration of ownership of the deceased's properties. The High Court held that the appellant was not an heir because at the time of …

VANKAMAMIDL VENKATA SUBBA RAOversusCHATLAPALLI SEETHARAMARATNA RANGANAYAKAMMA

1997 INSC 356Appeal(s) allowed

V. Satyanarayana died leaving his widow Raghavamma, a minor son (the appellant) and a daughter (the respondent). A 1955 compromise decree partitioned the estate, granting the widow a life interest with reversion to the son. After the Andhra Pradesh Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) …

AHMEDABAD WOMEN ACTION GROUP AND ORS. ETC.versusUNION OF INDIA

1997 INSC 185Dismissed

The Supreme Court dismissed three public‑interest writ petitions that sought to declare various provisions of Muslim, Hindu and Christian personal laws unconstitutional. The petitioners argued that polygamy, unilateral talaq, and discriminatory inheritance rules violated Articles 13, 14 and 15 of …

THE ADDITIONAL COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX, LUCKNOWversusMAHARANI RAJ LAXMI DEVI

1997 INSC 135Appeal(s) allowed

Maharani Raj Laxmi Devi, after adopting a minor son and the death of her husband, claimed HUF status and excluded the minor's one‑sixth share—acquired under Section 6 of the Hindu Succession Act—from the HUF's taxable income for AY 1966‑67 to 1970‑71. The Income Tax Officer held that, absent a …

K. V. MUTHUversusANGAMUTHU AMMAL

1996 INSC 1494Dismissed

The respondent, Angamuthu Ammal, sought eviction of the appellant, K.V. Muthu, under the Tamil Nadu Buildings (Lease and Rent Control) Act, 1960, claiming personal need for herself and her foster son Arunachala Bakthar. The appellant contested, arguing that a foster son is not a "member of family" …

PATEL BHUDARBHAI MAGANBHAI AND ANR.versusPATEL KHEMABHAI AMBARAM AND ORS.

1996 INSC 1471Dismissed

The dispute arose over a property mortgaged by widow Bai Jivi in 1911; after her death in 1955 the property passed to her daughter Hati, who filed a suit for redemption of the mortgage. The trial court dismissed the suit, but the Additional District Judge decreed in favour of the respondents, …

SMT. HIMI AND ANR.versusSMT. HIRA DEVI AND ORS.

1996 INSC 1116Appeal(s) allowed

Bai Lachhmu, the daughter of Bali Ram, filed a suit to enforce her half‑share in agricultural lands under her father's will against her step‑mother Bai Utti. The parties compromised in 1947, whereby Utti acknowledged Lachhmu's title and was allowed to retain possession of the disputed half during …

LAXMAPPA AND ORS.versusSMT. BALAWA KOM TIRKAPPA CHAVDI

1996 INSC 829Dismissed

The widow, a destitute and widowed daughter, adopted her brother as her son with her father's consent. The father and the adopted son jointly gifted her agricultural land in 1950, stipulating that the land would revert to them (or their heirs) upon her death. After the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 …

KAPPUSWAMYversusTHE AUTHORISED OFFICER AND ASSISTANT COMMISIONER (LAND REFORMS)

1996 INSC 771Appeal(s) allowed

The testator's 1948 will granted his two wives equal life interests in the estate, stipulating that the survivor would enjoy the whole property and that after both wives' deaths the daughter would have a life interest followed by her children in fee simple. After the second wife died in 1967, the …

NARASHIMAHA MURTHYversusSMT. SUSHEELABAI & ORS.

1996 INSC 537Dismissed

Narasoji Rao died intestate leaving a sole son (the appellant) and five daughters (including the plaintiff). The daughter filed a suit for partition of the family house (Schedule A) and other property, alleging a one‑seventh share, later increased to one‑sixth after the mother’s death. The trial …

MADHU KISHWAR AND ORS. ETC.versusSTATE OF BIHAR AND ORS.

1996 INSC 489Disposed off

The petitioners, tribal women from Bihar, challenged Sections 7, 8 and 76 of the Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act, 1908 as discriminatory against women and violative of Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution. The Court examined whether the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 and the Indian Succession Act, 1925 …

T. VENKATA NARAYANA AND ORS,versusSMT. VENKATA SUBBAMMA (DEAD) AND ORS.

1996 INSC 461Appeal(s) allowed

In a suit for perpetual injunction, the appellants sought to restrain Smt. Venkata Subbamma (deceased) from alienating property granted to her under a 1969 compromise decree in a partition suit. After her death, the respondents, as legal representatives, claimed that Subbamma had executed a will in …

SMT. GURNAM KAUR AND ANR.versusPURAN SINGH AND ORS.

1996 INSC 210Appeal(s) allowed

The appeal concerned whether the appellant, a daughter of Ram Singh and Gurnam Kaur, was a legitimate child despite Gurnam Kaur's earlier marriage not being legally dissolved. Earlier courts had held the child illegitimate because the prior marriage was void under Section 11 of the Hindu Marriage …

RAMJILAL AND ORS. ETC.versusGHISA RAM ETC.

1996 INSC 125Appeal(s) allowed

The respondents, co‑owners of land sold by a widow who possessed only a limited estate, filed a suit under Section 15(1)(b) of the Punjab Pre‑emption Act, 1913 seeking pre‑emption of the sale. The trial court decreed in their favour and the decree was upheld on appeal, but the second appeal was …

DR. MAHESH CHAND SHARMAversusSMT. RAJ KUMARI SHARMA AND OTHERS

1995 INSC 823Case Partly allowed

Ram Nath Dewan executed a 1942 will granting his wife Satyawati a life estate in the Doctor's Lane house and directing that after her death the property go to his legal heirs. After Ram Nath's death, the son (first defendant) contested the will, claiming a later 1950 will, and the parties litigated …

MUTHUSWAMI NADAR AND ORS.versusRAMAKRISHNAN NADAR AND ORS.

1995 INSC 811Appeal(s) allowed

The appellants filed a partition suit based on three sale deeds executed by Rosammal and Mariammal in their favour. The respondents challenged the deeds, arguing that the vendors' mother, Kochammal, could not inherit her son Kumaraswami's share because she was allegedly a Christian, rendering the …

NAZAR SINGH AND ORS.versusJAGJIT KAUR AND ORS.

1995 INSC 722Appeal(s) allowed

Gurdial Singh transferred 94 kanals and 19 marlas of land to his wife Harmel Kaur in 1963 as maintenance, subject to restrictive covenants. After Singh's death, Harmel sold a portion of the land to the appellants. The second wife and three daughters of Singh sued, claiming a one‑seventh share, …

SMT. JAYAMMA AND ANR.versusSMT. THIMMAMMA (DEAD) BY L.RS.

1995 INSC 669Appeal(s) allowed

The respondents, daughters of Doddahanumegowda, filed a suit seeking exclusive possession of his coparcenary property, asserting that as the sole surviving coparcener D could bequeath the entire estate to them. The appellants, daughters of D’s predeceased son Chikhanumegowda, claimed a right to a …

P. PERJASAMI (DEAD) BY LRS. ETC.versusP. PERLATHAMBL AND ORS. ETC.

1995 INSC 615Dismissed

The Supreme Court examined a partition suit between two branches of a Hindu family concerning self‑acquired agricultural lands left by a father (A) who died intestate without grandsons. The issue was whether the lands passed to his three sons as joint Hindu family property (joint tenancy) or as …

MANGAT MAL (DEAD) AND ANOTHERversusSMT. PUNNI DEVI (DEAD) AND OTHERS

1995 INSC 542Appeal(s) allowed

In 1934 a widow, Sukh Devi, was awarded specific immovable property and a lump‑sum by arbitration as compensation for her pre‑existing right to maintenance from her father‑in‑law’s joint family. After the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 came into force, the widow sold the property in 1960, and the sale …

VIJAY PAL SINGH AND ANR.versusDY. DIRECTOR OF CONSOLIDATION AND ORS.

1995 INSC 332Disposed off

A landowner died leaving three sons; one son, B, died leaving his widow S, who occupied his one‑third share for maintenance under Section 11 of the U.P. Zamindari and Land Reforms Act, 1950. After S's death, her daughter C claimed the same one‑third share in consolidation proceedings. The Settlement …

SHIV DAS AND ORS.versusSMT. DEVKI (DEAD) BY LRS. AND ORS.

1995 INSC 173Disposed off

Mela Ram died leaving his mother Radha in possession of his property. Radha, a life‑tenant, later gifted and bequeathed portions of the property to her grandson Shiv Dass. The other daughter, Devki, challenged these alienations, claiming that she and her sister Durga were the reversionary heirs …