MOHSIN ALI & ORS. vs STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

The Supreme Court held that in the case of sovereign grants, the interpretation that favors the sovereign is to be preferred when two interpretations are possible. The Firman in question did not convey absolute ownership of the residential house to Liaqat Ali, as it lacked precise language indicating a heritable estate. The Court emphasized that the Firman must be read as a whole, considering surrounding circumstances, and concluded that it conferred only a life interest in the house, dismissing the appeal of the heirs seeking possession.