The Supreme Court has delivered a landmark decision in a women’s inheritance case, reinforcing legal protections for female heirs and penalizing attempts to block their rightful shares. The ruling upheld a Sindh High Court judgement and imposed a Rs500,000 fine on the petitioner for delaying inheritance distribution.
The seven-page verdict was issued by a bench of Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Irfan Saadat. The judgement was authored by Justice Minallah shortly before he submitted his resignation, adding weight to the final document.
The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal filed by Abid Hussain, confirming that the Sindh High Court had correctly rejected his ownership claims over the disputed property. The ruling stated that his argument — that the property had been gifted to him — could not be proven through evidence.
Petitioner Penalized for Obstructing Inheritance
In its decision, the Supreme Court ordered Abid Hussain to pay Rs500,000 for delaying and obstructing the lawful inheritance of the rightful heirs. The fine must be deposited with the court’s registrar within seven days. The amount will be distributed among the heirs who were deprived of their legal shares due to his actions.
Court Declares Inheritance a Religious and Legal Right
The ruling highlighted the strong legal, constitutional, and religious foundation of inheritance rights. The court stated that:
- “The right to inheritance is a divine command.”
- “Depriving women of the right to inheritance is against the teachings of the Constitution and Islam.”
The judgement added that property ownership automatically transfers to legal heirs upon the death of the owner. Any interference with this process is unlawful and unacceptable.
Call for Accountability
The ruling stressed the state’s responsibility to protect women from unnecessary delays, fear, or prolonged legal battles while claiming their inheritance. The court urged strict legal action against individuals who deprive heirs of their lawful shares, noting:
“Those who deprive the heirs of inheritance should be held accountable under the law.”
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This verdict strengthens legal protections for women and sets a strong precedent for future inheritance disputes.
