In Brief
This landmark judgment settles the rights of daughters in ancestral and self-acquired property under Hindu Succession Law. The Supreme Court held that daughters are entitled to an equal 1/3rd share (with each male heir) in all family properties under the Hindu Succession Amendment Act, 2005. The Court applied this retroactively, benefiting cases pending before the courts. It also invalidated a compromise deed between two siblings (excluding the daughter-plaintiff) that attempted to reduce her share, ruling such settlements are void without all interested parties' signatures. The Court affirmed that preliminary decrees in partition suits can be modified before final decree to reflect changes in law, emphasizing gender equality in property succession.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.