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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 48474

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
A.D. Maria Clete, J
V.Shamala – Appellant
Versus
No respondent – Respondent
OP No. 440 of 2025



Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: N. Subbarayalu, G.R. Ramasamy Gnanadurai
For the Respondents: nil

A grant of Letters of Administration with the Will annexed is issued when there is no appointed executor under a validly proven Will and the petitioner establishes their status as the rightful beneficiary and sole legal heir.

Headnote:The petitioner sought the grant of Letters of Administration under Sections 232 and 276 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, regarding the last Will and testament of her deceased husband. The testator died issueless, leaving the petitioner as the sole legal heir. The petitioner sought the grant as the primary beneficiary since the Will did not appoint an executor. The Court, upon reviewing the testimony of the petitioner (P.W.1) and the attesting witness (P.W.2), found that the Will was validly executed and attested in accordance with law. Issues before the Court were whether the Will was duly executed and whether the petitioner was entitled to the grant in the absence of an executor. The Court noted that P.W.2 corroborated the sound state of mind of the testator and the presence of attesting witnesses. The Ratio Decidendi rests on the finding that the statutory requirements for the proof of a Will under the Indian Succession Act were met and that no objections or caveats were filed following public notice. The final result is that the petition is allowed with directions to file an inventory and account of the estate.

Table of Content
1. petition for letters of administration by the sole legal heir. (Para 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5)
2. evidence and proof of due execution of the will. (Para 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10)
3. granting letters of administration subject to bond and inventory. (Para 11 , 12)

to grant of Letters of Administration with the Will annexed, may be granted to her as the wife of the said deceased, having effect throughout State of Tamil Nadu. Gross amount of Rs.17,90,240/- and Net Amount of Rs.17,80,240/- Suc.duty of Rs.25,000/- paid on 01.12.2025 by e-C/F D.No.45511/2025.

ORDER

This Original Petition has been filed under Sections 232 and 276 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, read with Order XXV Rule 5 of the Original Side Rules, seeking grant of Letters of Administration with Will annexed in respect of the last Will and testament dated 11.08.2015 executed by the deceased testator, V. Subbarayan.

2. The petitioner is the wife of the deceased testator. According to the petitioner, the testator was ordinarily residing at Old Door No.18, New Door No.10, Present Door No.3/10, Corporation Colony, Seniyamman Kovil Street, II Street, Tondiarpet, Chennai – 600 081, and died on 24.04.2016. The burial ground report of death has been marked as Ex.P2.

3. The petitioner states that the testator died issueless, that his mother had predeceased him, and that she is the only legal heir of the deceased. The legal heirship certificate has been marked as Ex.P3.

4. The petitioner further states that the deceased executed a registered Will dated 11.08.2015, bequeathing the schedule mentioned property absolutely in her favour. Since no executor has been appointed under the Will, the petitioner has sought Letters of Administration with Will annexed.

5. There is no respondent in this Original Petition. General paper publication was ordered. Publication was effected in one Tamil daily and one English daily. The learned Master has recorded that paper publication was effected, service was complete, and no objection was raised by any person.

6. The petitioner examined herself as P.W.1. She marked Ex.P1 to Ex.P4. Ex.P1 is the original Will dated 11.08.2015. Ex.P2 is the burial ground report of death of the deceased. Ex.P3 is the legal heirship certificate. Ex.P4 is the name transfer report dated 17.02.2018.

7. The attesting witness, R. Subashchandrabose, was examined as P.W.2. He has stated that he knew the testator for about 30 to 40 years. He has further stated that the testator executed Ex.P1 Will on 11.08.2015 in his presence and in the presence of the other attesting witness, Gnanasekar. P.W.2 has also stated that the testator was in a sound state of mind and good health at the time of execution of the Will, that the testator signed the Will in their presence, and that both attesting witnesses signed the Will at the request of the testator.

8. The evidence of P.W.2 satisfies the requirement of proof of execution and attestation of the Will. There is no caveat or objection opposing the grant.

9. The gross value of the estate is stated as Rs.17,90,240/- and the net value as Rs.17,80,240/-.

10. The petitioner has undertaken to duly administer the estate and credits of the deceased, to pay the debts first, if any, and thereafter the legacies, to file a full and true inventory within six months from the date of grant, and to render true accounts within one year from the date of grant.

11. On consideration of the pleadings, documents and evidence, this Court is satisfied that the Will dated 11.08.2015 executed by the deceased testator V. Subbarayan has been duly proved and that the petitioner, being the sole legal heir and beneficiary under the Will, is entitled to Letters of Administration with Will annexed.

12. Accordingly, O.P.No.440 of 2025 is allowed. The Registry shall issue Letters of Administration accordingly, to have effect throughout the State of Tamil Nadu; The petitioner is directed to execute a security bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/ (Rupees Twenty five Thousan

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