Supreme Court Stresses Evidence in Coparcenary Property Claims: "Mere Status Not Enough”

In a recent landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of India has underscored the significance of providing concrete evidence in coparcenary property claims. The case, involving the partition of a coparcenary property, centered around the interpretation of Section 29A of the Hindu Succession Act and the plaintiff's entitlement to a share in the property.

The Bench, led by Justice S.V.N. Bhatti, stated, "Mere status as a coparcener under Section 29A is not sufficient to claim partition. The burden rests on the plaintiff to establish the continued coparcenary nature of the property." This observation forms the crux of the Court's decision, emphasizing the need for well-substantiated claims in property partition cases.

The case revolved around the property originally owned by the plaintiff's grandfather. The plaintiff accepted a portion of the property through a partial partition deed, acknowledging ownership by Defendants 1 and 2. The central question was whether the property retained its coparcenary character as of March 25, 1989, and was thus open to partition.

The Supreme Court, after careful evaluation, upheld the High Court's decision to dismiss the plaintiff's claim. The Court's ruling reinforces the principle that the status of a coparcener must be supported by evidence showing the continued coparcenary nature of the property.

This verdict carries implications for property disputes involving coparcenary rights and highlights the need for precise and substantiated claims. It contributes to the evolving jurisprudence surrounding such cases, indicating that a mere claim of coparcenary status is insufficient without demonstrating the property's ongoing coparcenary character.

The Court's reliance on past precedents, including Vineeta Sharma v. Rakesh Sharma, T. Ravi and another v. B. Chinna Narasimha and others, Hardeo Rai v. Sakuntala Devi and others, Suhrid Singh Alias Sardool Singh v. Randhir Singh and others, and Sunil Kumar and another v. Ram Prakash and others, showcases its commitment to a well-founded legal approach.

Legal experts and practitioners anticipate that this ruling will bring clarity to property disputes involving coparcenary rights and lead to more focused and evidence-based claims in such cases.

DATE OF DECISION: August 16, 2023

VASANTHI vs SANTHA (DEAD) THROUGH LRS. AND OTHERS        

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