Revocation of probate

Originally posted by : Minu Pandey

Whether any person on ground of unprobated will can file revocation case of previously granted probate.

Your query is like a puzzle wherein you have mentioned about

a) "unprobated" will desired to be revocated

but

it is a case previously granted probate ?

Yes, a civil suit can be filed for the cancellation of probate. However, the suit must be filed on the basis of a valid ground, such as fraud, undue influence, or coercion. The Indian Succession Act, 1925, mandates that no right as executor or legatee can be established in any court of justice unless the ‘Will’ is probated by the competent court 1. The Supreme Court has observed that Article 137 of the Limitation Act, which provides for a 3-year limitation period, applies to the proceedings under the Indian Succession Act for moving an application for cancellation of probate or letters of administration

The probate granted by the competent court is conclusive on the validity of the will unless revoked in accordance with law, and no evidence can be admitted to impeach it except in the proceedings for revocation.

Rukminidevi v. Narendra Lal Gupta, (1985) 1 SCC 144, to say that if a party does not contest proceedings for grant of probate, it cannot   be   permitted   to   question   the   validity   of   the   will   by   a collateral attack in different proceedings. The court held that the grant being  in rem,  binds not only persons who are parties but also others who are not parties to the proceedings, whether they had notice or not. The probate granted by the competent court is conclusive on the validity of the will unless revoked in accordance with law, and no evidence can be admitted to impeach it except in the proceedings for revocation.

To seek revocation, an application must be made to the Supreme Court. The applicant must establish that they have standing to bring the application which includes that they have a prima facie case to challenge the grant of probate. This means they must show that they have ‘a case for investigation’ or ‘something to go on’.

The task for the party seeking to have a grant of probate revoked is therefore to show that there is a ‘case for investigation’ or ‘something to go on’. Such a case will, by definition, not be frivolous or vexatious. However, mere speculation will not suffice.