Modifies Injunction Order in Joint Family Property Dispute: Limited scope of injunctive relief in joint Hindu family disputes: Bombay High Court

In a recent judgment, the Bombay High Court modified an injunction order in a dispute involving joint family properties, shedding light on the limitations of a coparcener's right to seek injunctive relief. The case involved a partition suit filed by a five-year-old boy and his mother against family members, including the father and grandfather. The court's observations provide valuable insights into the rights and restrictions within a joint Hindu family and the maintainability of certain legal actions.

Bombay High Court emphasized that while a coparcener has the right to claim a share in joint family property, they do not have the right to interfere with the management of joint family affairs or seek a permanent injunction against the Karta/Manager. The court cited Section 41(h) of the Specific Relief Act, which bars the grant of injunction in certain cases, and noted that a coparcener can challenge any encumbrances on their share but cannot prevent the Karta from dealing with the property for legal necessity or benefit of the estate.

The judgment also highlighted the complexity of the case, with disputes among family members over the nature of the properties, release of rights by sisters, and challenges to sale transactions that occurred years before the lawsuit was filed. The court questioned the maintainability of challenging such transactions after a substantial period and suggested that the plaintiff's motive might be to settle matrimonial disputes indirectly.

Ultimately, High court modified the injunction order, directing the appellants not to create third-party interests or change possession only in respect of a specific land, rather than imposing a blanket injunction against all defendants. The appeals were disposed of accordingly.

The case serves as a reminder of the intricacies involved in joint family property disputes and the limitations on coparceners seeking injunctive relief. It also highlights the importance of maintaining a clear legal distinction between joint family matters and matrimonial disputes.

Date of Decision: October 26, 2023

Baburao Shivputra Erandole VS Kumar Adwait Nikhil Erandole

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