In Brief
The deceased Ramaiah executed two Wills: one in 1980 favouring his children from his first wife (Sharmila and Umesh), and another in 1995 in favour of different beneficiaries. Umesh and others compromised a partition suit based on the 1995 Will in 1997, but Sharmila—not a party to that compromise—sued separately claiming ownership under the 1980 Will. The Trial Court rejected her claim for insufficient evidence, but the High Court allowed her appeal, finding the 1980 Will properly proved. The Supreme Court upheld the High Court, holding that a registered Will can be proved through certified copies and secondary evidence, and that a compromise decree does not bind non-parties. The later Will did not revoke the earlier one as it lacked express revocation language.
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