In Brief
The appellant claimed he was adopted by his paternal uncle Govardhandas in 1973, though he was then a married man of 32 years. The respondent (Govardhandas' widow) contested the adoption and sought dissolution of a partnership firm. The trial court accepted the adoption; the High Court rejected it. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, holding that a married person cannot be adopted unless the parties can prove an applicable custom permitting such adoption. The appellant failed to plead or prove any such custom among the Jain community and presented contradictory oral evidence without documentary support. Courts must scrutinize adoption claims with caution, as they alter succession and property rights. The appeal was dismissed.
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