In Brief
A dispute arose over whether the State of Rajasthan could treat the deceased's property as 'bona vacantia' (ownerless) and initiate escheat proceedings while a probate case was pending in Delhi's High Court. The deceased's Trust held the property, and agnates (male relatives) claimed ownership. The Court held that the State was justified in treating the property as ownerless since the probate case was dismissed, no legally-recognized owner existed, and proper inquiries and notices had been issued. The Court allowed the appeal and set aside the High Court's writ petition order that had challenged the escheat proceedings."
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