Punjab and Haryana High Court Holds Custom Cannot Limit Woman’s Right to Inherited Property

The Punjab and Haryana High Court set aside two lower court rulings that had denied a widow her right to deal with property inherited from her husband based on Meo community custom.

The dispute concerned 42 kanals and 19 marlas of land in Gurgaon district, which Rehmani sold through a registered deed in 1982. A relative challenged the sale, claiming a Meo widow had only a life interest in such property.

The Court held that any restriction based on gender or marital status violates Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution.

It ruled that the land was non-ancestral and that the sale was valid, and dismissed the suit against Rehmani.

[Mohd. Ashraf & Anr. v. Sadiq (Since Deceased) through his LRs & Ors.]