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2006 Supreme(UK) 106

HIGH COURT OF UTTARANCHAL
PRAFULLA C. PANT, J.
NEERAJ KUMAR GOYAL - Appellant
Versus
KRISHAN LAI ARORA - Respondents
Appeal from Order 412 Of 2004
Decided On : MARCH 23, 2006

Advocates Appeared:
Lok PalSingh, Pankaj Miglani

The main legal point established is that the claim of being the deceased's spouse does not automatically entitle a person to a succession certificate, and the court must consider the fitness of the applicants and the rights of the real heirs.

Headnote:

Indian Succession Act - Dispute over succession certificate - Section 299 - Summary of Acts and Sections: Indian Succession Act, 1925, Section 295, Section 372, Section 373(4), Hindu Succession Act, 1956, Section 15 - The court discussed the dispute over the succession certificate and the legal provisions under the Indian Succession Act and Hindu Succession Act, emphasizing the importance of marriage, entitlement to the succession certificate, and the rights of the real heirs.

Fact of the Case:

The appellant sought a succession certificate for the deceased's gratuity and insurance amount. The respondent claimed to be the deceased's husband and entitled to the certificate. The trial court dismissed the appellant's application and allowed the respondent's application.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that the respondent's claim of being the deceased's husband was final, but it did not entitle him to the succession certificate. The court emphasized the importance of marriage, the fitness of the applicants, and the rights of the real heirs.

Issues: The issues were whether the deceased was legally married and the entitlement to the succession certificate.

Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the respondent's claim of being the deceased's husband was final, but it did not automatically entitle him to the succession certificate. The court emphasized the fitness of the applicants and the rights of the real heirs.

Final Decision: The court allowed the appeal, set aside the trial court's judgment, rejected the respondent's application for the succession certificate, and directed the trial court to issue the certificate in favor of the appellant.

( 1 ) THIS appeal, preferred under Section 299 of the Indian Succession act, 1925, is directed against the judgment and order dated 25-9-2004, passed in Succession Suit No. 01 of 2001 by learned Addl. District Judge/f. T. C. VII, Dehradun.

( 2 ) BRIEF facts of the case, are that appellant Neeraj Kumar Goyal is real brother of his deceased sister Sushma Goyal, who died on 18-11-1990. At the time of her death she was employed with Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd. , Rishikesh. As per appellant's case, she left behind her father Triloki nath Goyal and two sisters Sashibala and veerbala, apart from the appellant. Mother of the deceased Sushma Goyal had already died on 17-6-1990. The appellant sought succession certificate in respect of the gratuity, group insurance etc. amounting to Rs. 67. 082/- due to the deceased. Initially, the application of the appellant, which was registered as case No. 222 of 1991, was allowed on 12-2-1993 and succession certificate was issued in his name. But it appears that respondent Krishan Lai filed simultaneously another application before the Civil Judge, haridwar, for succession certificate, claiming himself to be the husband of the deceased. Said case was registered as Misc. Case No. 28 of 1991, in which the present appellant also filed the objections. After recording evidence and hearing the parties, learned Civil Judge, Haridwar disposed of the application rejecting the application of respondent Krishan Lai on 5-8-1994 on the ground that succession certificate in respect of the same amount has already been issued by the Dehradun Court. (It is pertinent to mention here that Indian Drugs and pharmaceuticals Ltd. , Rishikesh is situated within District Dehradun while Sushma goyal breathed her last at Haridwar ). However, learned Civil Judge, Haridwar, while rejecting the application did find that the respondent Krishan Lai was husband of the deceased. Thereafter, the respondent krishan Lai preferred an appeal against the order dated 5-8-1994 of learned Civil Judge, haridwar. And, said appeal (Misc. Civil Appeal No. 46 of 1994) was also dismissed. Meanwhile, respondent Krishan Lai moved an application before the Court at Dehradun for cancellation of the succession certificate issued in favour of the present appellant. Said Misc. Case was registered as Misc. Case no. 28-A of 1993. The Court at Dehradun, after hearing the parties cancelled the succession certificate vide its judgment and order dated 10-7-1997. Consequently, the misc. Case No. 222 of 1991 was revived and in view of Section 295 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, the same was re-registered as Succession Suit No. 01 of 2001. In the objections the respondent raised the plea that he was the husband of the deceased sushma Goyal and as such entitled to the succession certificate.

( 3 ) ON the basis of the pleadings, the trial court framed following issues : 1 Whether, the deceased Sushma Goyal was legally wedded wife of Krishan Lal, if so, its effect? 2. To what relief, if any, the applicant is entitled?

( 4 ) AFTER recording evidence and hearing the parties, the trial Court dismissed the application of Neeraj Kumar (present appellant), brother of the deceased, and allowed the application of the respondent Krishan lal (alleged husband) for succession certificate in his favour. Aggrieved by the same, this appeal has been filed by Neeraj Kumar goyal, brother of the deceased.

( 5 ) I heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the record.


( 6 ) ADMITTEDLY, deceased Sushma Goyal was employed with Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd. at Rishikesh. This is also not disputed between the parties that she died on 18-11-1990. It is also admitted fact that Neeraj Kumar is brother of the deceased. The dispute between the parties is confined to the fact, whether, respondent krishan Lal is husband of the deceased and is he entitled to the succession certificate, and is the appellant not entitled to the succession certificate.

( 7 ) APPELLANT Nee












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