Introduction:This case revolves around a property dispute between two siblings, Raj and Sunita. Following the death of their parents, a disagreement arose concerning the rightful ownership of a family-owned property in Mumbai, India. Raj claims the property was verbally gifted to him by their father, while Sunita asserts that the property should be equally divided, as stated in the will.Case Details:The property in question is a prime piece of real estate in Mumbai, valued at approximately 10 crore INR. Raj presented witnesses to affirm the father's verbal gift, while Sunita produced the will that clearly divides the property equally between the two. The case was brought before the Civil Court of Mumbai.Arguments Presented:- Raj's Argument: He claims the property was a verbal gift from their father on his deathbed, a common practice in Indian families. He presents two witnesses who were reportedly present during this declaration.- Sunita's Argument: She argues that the will, a legal document, clearly states the equal division of property and should take precedence over verbal claims. She also questions the credibility of Raj's witnesses.Legal Analysis:The court must consider the Indian Succession Act and the principles governing verbal gifts and wills. The authenticity of the will and the credibility of witnesses for the verbal gift are crucial. The court must also consider the concept of "Part Performance" under the Indian Contract Act if Raj has been acting as the sole owner based on the verbal gift.Judgment and Ruling:[To be determined based on the legal analysis and arguments]Impact and Analysis:The case highlights the complexity of property disputes in Indian law, especially involving verbal agreements and wills. It emphasizes the importance of clear documentation and the challenges in proving verbal agreements in court.Conclusion:The case underlines the need for unambiguous legal documentation in property matters and the careful consideration courts must give to verbal agreements and witness credibility.References:- Indian Succession Act- Indian Contract Act

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Discussion Questions:1. How should courts weigh verbal agreements against written wills in property disputes?2. What measures can be taken to prevent such disputes in family-owned properties?

Case Study 1: Property Dispute

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