India has been a patriarchal society where women faced various challenges in realization of their rights in par with that of men. One such grey area was the property rights of Christian women. This case has made it through thick and thin for acquiring the right of daughters in the property of their father. Long 39 years of legal battle made it to a verdict in favour of the female community which enhanced gender equality in India. This case has been earmarked against the discriminatory practices based on sex. The case sought out the inherent injustice and gender based discrimination written under the letters of law. The Marumakkathayam System of inheritance that deprives Christian women of their property rights was held to be unconstitutional by the higher judiciary.
| Citation | (1986) AIR 1011, 1986 SCR (1) 371 |
| Name of the Court which decided the case | Supreme Court of India |
| Bench | P.N. Bhagwati, R.S. Pathak |
| Legislations | Indian Succession Act, 1925 |