In Brief
Four brothers sued to declare void a 1969 relinquishment deed executed by their eldest brother in favour of their uncle, claiming it was invalid because the youngest brother was a minor at execution. The Supreme Court held that the eldest brother, as Karta (head) of the joint family branch, had authority to manage and dispose of joint property, including the minor's undivided interest, under Hindu law. The relinquishment was valid because it settled accounts between family branches following mortgage redemption—a legal necessity. The suit, filed in 1994 (25 years later), was barred by limitation. The appeal was dismissed.
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