Supreme Court of India · 2003-07-21
John Vallamattom And Anr. vs Union Of India (Uoi)
- Citation / case number
- AIR2003SC2902
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Petitioner
- John Vallamattom And Anr.
- Respondent
- Union Of India (Uoi)
- Author
- V.N. Khare
- Bench
- V.N. Khare, S.B. Sinha, Ar. Lakshmanan
Judgment text excerpt
The Supreme Court examined the constitutionality of Section 118 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, which restricts the ability of Christians to bequeath property for religious and charitable purposes. The Court found that the provision discriminates against the Christian community, violating Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law. The Court held that Section 118 is unconstitutional and struck it down, allowing for testamentary dispositions for charitable purposes without the restrictions imposed by the Act.