In Brief
The Supreme Court held that succession to private properties declared by Nawab Raza Ali Khan of Rampur in the merger agreement with the Dominion of India is governed by Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, not by the rule of male lineal primogeniture applicable to the Gaddi (rulership). After merger, the Nawab ceased to be a sovereign and was a ruler only in name. The merger agreement clearly distinguishes between the Gaddi (rulership) and private properties—only personal rights, privileges, and dignities attach to the Gaddi, not succession to personal property. The Court set aside the High Court's judgment favoring primogeniture, allowing the appeal and directing partition of properties among all legal heirs according to Shia Islamic law."
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