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State of Rajasthan and Ors. v. Lord Northbrook and Ors.

Civil Appeal · 2019 INSC 969Decided 28 Aug 2019
Civil Appeal No. 6677 of 2019
Justice R. Banumathi · Justice Indira Banerjee

Background

This is a split decision, not a final judgment. The State of Rajasthan invoked the Rajasthan Escheats Regulation Act, 1956 to take over the properties of the late Raja Sardar Singh, who left a disputed will and trust. The High Court quashed the escheat proceedings.

Decision Breakdown

This is a split decision, not a final judgment. Justice R. Banumathi would have allowed the State's appeal and upheld the escheat proceedings. Justice Indira Banerjee would have dismissed it. In view of the difference of opinion, the matter was placed before the Chief Justice of India for a larger bench.

Lesson Learnt

There is no final ruling yet. The dispute over the estate awaits a larger bench.

Official source (sci.gov.in)View Judgment (PDF)

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