Delhi High Court Upholds Widow’s Property Rights, Orders Daughter & Son-in-Law to Vacate
Delhi High Court Upholds Widow’s Property Rights, Orders Daughter & Son-in-Law to Vacate
The Delhi High Court has ruled in favor of an 85-year-old woman in a property dispute, reinforcing the rights of widows over their property. The court stated that a daughter and son-in-law cannot claim rights over the mother’s property without her consent.
The case involved Lajwanti Devi, a resident of Shastri Nagar, North-West Delhi. She had filed a complaint against her daughter and son-in-law, accusing them of unlawfully occupying a portion of her house. Devi argued that she had allowed them to stay in the house in 1985, but they refused to vacate it despite repeated requests.
The court recognized Devi as the rightful owner of the house. It noted that her late husband had purchased the property in 1966 in her name to ensure her financial security after his death. The court ruled that the daughter and son-in-law could stay only with the mother’s permission and could not violate her rights.
The judgment ordered the daughter and son-in-law to vacate the house within six months. Additionally, the court directed them to pay ₹10,000 per month as compensation, retroactive from 2014, when the case was filed. If they fail to vacate, they must continue paying ₹10,000 per month.
The ruling strengthens women’s rights over their property and sets a precedent for similar disputes. It also highlights the legal protection available to widows facing property encroachment.
