SMT. GULAB DEVI vs THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CONSOLIDATION & ORS.

The Supreme Court examined the succession rights under the U.P. Tenancy Act, 1939 and the U.P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950. It held that the widow of a male tenant succeeds to the estate under Section 35 of the Tenancy Act, and upon her death, her unmarried daughters inherit equally. The Court found that the marriage of one sister did not bar her from succeeding to the estate of the other sister, as both had already succeeded to their father's estate prior to the Abolition Act coming into force, thus affirming the rights of the daughters under the relevant provisions of the law.