In Brief
Jagan Nath, owner of valuable agricultural land in Ludhiana, died issueless in 1977. His alleged Will bequeathing property to the defendants was challenged by his cognates (female-line relatives). The Trial Court found the Will unproven and decreed possession to the plaintiffs. The First Appellate Court reversed on the relationship issue, but the High Court restored the Trial Court's decree. The Supreme Court upheld the High Court, holding that the defendants failed to prove the Will's due execution and genuineness, and the plaintiffs established their relationship as the deceased's nearest cognates, entitling them to inherit the property.",
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