Here's a breakdown of a recent court case about a family property dispute in Bengaluru. The case involves the heirs of P. Anjanappa and a bunch of relatives over how to divide family properties. Let's dive into the details.
The Backstory: Anjanappa's Family
The case starts with Pillappa, the family's ancestor. His widow, Muniyamma, and their children were involved in the dispute. The main issue was about dividing properties listed in three groups: A, B, and C.
- Group A: Properties owned by the whole family together.
- Group B: Properties bought in the names of Anjanappa and another relative.
- Group C: Movable items, including rent from Group B properties.
Initial Court Decisions
On August 19, 1994, the Trial Court decided that:
- Group A properties were owned by the whole family together.
- Group B properties were not solely Anjanappa's; they were shared with another relative.
- The court dismissed claims that some family members had already given up their rights.
Anjanappa's heirs didn't agree with this and appealed to the High Court.
High Court's Take
On August 30, 2005, the High Court supported the Trial Court's decision, saying:
- The family properties were not divided as Anjanappa claimed.
- The court rejected Anjanappa's evidence of prior divisions because the documents weren't properly registered.
Supreme Court's Final Word
The case then moved to the Supreme Court, where Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta made the final decision on November 6, 2025.
- Release Deeds: The court confirmed two release deeds from 1956 and 1967, which meant some family members had given up their rights earlier.
- Family Arrangement: A 1972 document showed that some family members had already divided the properties among themselves.
- Final Shares: The court decided how the properties should be divided. Anjanappa's heirs and others got specific shares, and some properties were kept separate for other family members.
Verdict Summary
The court's decision clarified how the family properties should be divided, taking into account past agreements and legal documents.
