Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Punjab & Haryana HC Upholds Grandmother's Will, Dismisses Grandchildren's Challenge
Imagine a grandmother made a special list, called a will, about who gets her things after she passes away.
Her grandchildren didn't like what the list said because it didn't give them anything and only gave things to her sons.
They went to court and said the list was fake and unfair.
But the court looked at the list and talked to the people who saw her sign it.
The court decided the list was real and that the grandmother was healthy and knew what she was doing when she made it.
The judge explained that sometimes people make these lists to give their things to specific people, even if it means not giving things to other family members, as long as they have a good reason.
The court said it's okay for the grandmother to give her things to her sons because they took good care of her.
So, the grandchildren didn't get any of the grandmother's things.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court upheld a 2001 will, dismissing a challenge by the deceased's grandchildren.
The grandchildren claimed the will was forged and sought a share of their grandmother's properties.
The court found the will was validly executed by Shanti Devi in sound health and properly attested by witnesses.
Justice Pankaj Jain stated that the execution of a will is a departure from natural succession and justified exclusions are not suspicious.
The ruling affirmed lower court decisions, emphasizing that doubts about a will must be real and valid.
- Who
- Punjab and Haryana High Court, grandchildren of Shanti Devi, and her surviving sons
- What
- Dismissed an appeal by grandchildren challenging a 2001 will that bequeathed their grandmother's properties to her surviving sons.
- When
- Thursday (referring to the date the order was uploaded and published)
- Where
- Punjab and Haryana High Court
- Why
- The court found the will was validly executed, free of doubts, and that family exclusions, if justified, do not invalidate a will.
Grandchildren's Claim
Sons' Defense of the Will
Validity of the Will
Grandchildren's Claim
The grandchildren claimed the will was forged and did not meet legal tests for proper signing and witnessing.
Sons' Defense of the Will
The sons argued the will was a genuine expression of the grandmother's wishes, validly executed by her while in sound health.
Exclusion of Heirs
Grandchildren's Claim
The grandchildren contended that excluding them despite cordial family ties was a red flag.
Sons' Defense of the Will
The will explained that the sons and one daughter-in-law provided care and affection, justifying the bequests.
Proof of Allegations
Grandchildren's Claim
The grandchildren alleged forgery but offered no proof.
Sons' Defense of the Will
Witness statements confirmed the grandmother acknowledged and thumb-marked the document in their presence.
- Court
- Punjab and Haryana High Court
- Judge
- Justice Pankaj Jain
- Will Date
- February 27, 2001
- Deceased
- Shanti Devi
- Original Suit Filed
- 2016
- Grandchildren's Claim
- One-fourth share in suit properties