SC Urges Childless Hindu Women to Execute Wills to Prevent Succession Disputes; Mandates Pre

In a significant observation regarding property rights and family harmony, the Supreme Court on Wednesday appealed to Hindu women—specifically those without children or husbands—to execute wills to safeguard their self-acquired properties. The apex court emphasized that testamentary disposition is the most effective tool to prevent bitter litigation between a woman’s parents and her in-laws.

A bench comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan issued this advisory while disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that challenged the constitutional validity of Section 15(1)(b) of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956.

The Core Dispute: Section 15 and Self-Acquired Property

The PIL, filed by advocate Snidha Mehra, argued that Section 15(1)(b) is arbitrary and discriminatory, violat