LAKSHMI CHAND KHAJURIA & ORS. vs SMT. ISHROO DEVI

The Supreme Court held that under Section 27 of the Jammu & Kashmir Hindu Succession Act, 1956, a male member of a joint family can dispose of his interest in joint family property through a Will. The Court affirmed the High Court's decision that the Will executed by Purohit Mani Ram was valid, rejecting claims of forgery and asserting that the properties were self-acquired. The Court ruled that the respondent was entitled to a 1/2 share in the ancestral property, thereby upholding the principle that a wife is entitled to a share equal to that of a son under Mitakshara law.