In Brief
Kalindi, a daughter born after her father Laxman's adoption, challenged the succession rights of her three older brothers, who were born before Laxman was adopted. The High Court held that all of Laxman's children—born before or after his adoption—were entitled to inherit his estate equally. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 contains no provision distinguishing between children born before versus after a parent's adoption. The blood relationship between natural parent and child is not severed by adoption. All of Laxman's children qualified as Class I heirs and agnates entitled to inherit from him in equal proportions under the Act.
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