LACHHMI DEVI Vs. GENERAL PUBLIC

JUDGEMENT

(1.) One Surinder Pal was a Constable in the Punjab Police. He died on 7.2.1992 leaving behind his mother Smt. Lachhmi Devi -And widow Smt. Kulwinder Kaur. Smt. Lachhmi Devi applied for the grant of succession certificate claiming one half share in the estate of her son Surinder Pal viz. the amount lying in the savings bank account in his name, G.P.F., Death -cum - retirement Gratuity, proceeds of the LIC policy and the ex gratia grant. It was urged that she is the mother of the deceased and is entitled to one half share while the other one half share belongs to his widow.

(2.) Smt. Kulwinder Kaur contested the claim of her mother -in -law, saying that she (Smt. Kulwinder Kaur) is the widow of the deceased Surinder Pal and was nominated by him, so far as his estate was concerned viz. the bank balance, provident fund etc.

(3.) On the pleadings of the parties, the following issues were framed by the trial Court : -