Authority: High Court of Judicature at Madras
Order Date: 10-09-2026
Case Overview
- Petitioners: Thomas D, Nelson D, and Arul Vinodh, sons of the deceased K.V. Rani, filed Original Petition No. 678 of 2025 under Section 372 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925 read with Order XXV Rule 6, seeking a succession certificate for a Public Provident Fund (PPF) account.
- Deceased: K.V. Rani died intestate on 08‑09‑2024; her husband V. Dhuraipandiyan had predeceased her on 30‑09‑2002. No will or nominee existed for the PPF account (Account No. 000918011287, ICICI Bank, Perambur Branch).
- Evidence: The court examined petitioner‑witness Thomas D (PW1) and considered documents Ex.P1‑Ex.P9, including Aadhaar card copies, computer‑generated death certificates of the deceased and her husband, a legal heirship certificate, the ICICI Bank statement showing a balance of Rs.14,89,110 as on 02‑07‑2025, and a newspaper notice published in "Malai Thamizhagam" on 02‑06‑2026.
- The legal heirship certificate listed the three petitioners as the sole surviving legal heirs, establishing their right to succeed to the estate in equal shares.
Final Outcome
- The petition was allowed. The court ordered that a succession certificate under Section 373 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925 be issued jointly in favour of Thomas D, Nelson D and Arul Vinodh for the amount of Rs.14,89,110, together with all interest/accretions accrued up to the date of payment.
- The certificate is issued subject to the petitioners furnishing the requisite security and complying with statutory requirements, including payment of any outstanding court fee.
- No costs were awarded.
Topics: Succession, Public Provident Fund, Court Order