In Brief
A woman sought declaration as the adopted daughter of the deceased Sadhu Ram to claim a share in his property. The trial court found in her favour based on evidence that she was treated as his adopted daughter for many years, supported by school records and his settlement of her marriage. The High Court reversed this, holding that without proof of a formal giving-and-taking ceremony required by the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, adoption could not be established. The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, holding that while a formal ceremony is important, long-standing treatment as an adopted child—corroborated by credible documentary evidence—can itself establish adoption and give rise to a presumption in the adoptee's favour.
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