In Brief
A widow of a deceased son claimed a 1/8th share in joint family property and an additional share from her deceased mother-in-law's estate. The trial court awarded 1/8th, the appellate court reduced it to 1/16th, and the High Court granted 1/7th of the mother-in-law's share. The Supreme Court held that while the properties are joint family property, under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, a widow of a pre-deceased son cannot inherit from her mother-in-law's separate property, as sons, daughters, and the husband rank first in succession. The appeal was partly allowed, confirming the plaintiff's 1/8th share in joint property but denying the additional claim to the mother-in-law's estate.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.