Aditi Vikram Agarwal v. Dorothy Geoffrey Anchan (Deceased)

Before: Shri. P. A. Jagdale, Officer on Special Duty, With Testamentary Department Date: 21st July, 2025 FOR COMPLIANCE:

123. TP/1252/2025 (AMH20240129954 C202500026) with WILL/509/2025 P. C.

:

Shri. Jayant Wani a/w Ms. Jyoti Badgujar i/b Ladkawala & Co. Ld. Advocate for the Petitioner

1) This petition is filed by petitioner, being one of the beneficiaries under the Will executed by Dorothy Geoffrey Anchan alias Dorothy G. Anchan alias Dorothy Anchan alias Dorothy Crisida Anchan widow of Geoffrey Anchan (herein after the same is referred to as "Testatrix"), for grant of a Letters of Administration with Will annexed. Said Testatrix said to have died at Ahmednagar on 04.03.2024. Petitioner, namely ADITI VIKRAM AGARWAL, filed the copy of death certificate, identity proof of the testator, Will, petitioner's oath.

2) Perused petition. Heard Ld. Advocate for petitioner. Perused documents.

3) No executor has been appointed under the Will. The petitioner is the One of the legatee under the Will. Hence, petition is tenable.

4) Petitioner stated that the deceased left behind her last Will and Testament which was duly executed at Ahmednagar on 09.02.2024, in English language. The Will is handed in separately for being filed and kept in a safe place in the Office of the Prothonotary and Senior Master, High Court, Bombay.

5) Ld. Advocate for petitioner submits that Testatrix is survived by legal heirs, whose details are given in the petition, as per the provisions of Indian Succession Act, 1925. The petitioner affirmed that there are no other legal heirs of the deceased, except mentioned in the petition. Legal heirs of the testatrix have consented to the petition and thereby waived the service of Citation.

6) Citation was issued, which has been duly affixed

on the conspicuous part of the Hon'ble High Court and notice board of the Collector's Office at Mumbai and 14 days have been expired vide Rule 397(1) and (4) of the Bombay High Court (O.S.) Rules, 1980(for short "BHC Rules") and an affidavit to that effect has been filed. Notice to collector has been issued vide Rule 396 of BHC Rules. Till today, no one appeared to resist the claim of the petitioner or nothing is brought to the notice regarding pending litigation pertaining to the same properties. Hence, the petition is treated as uncontested one.

7) The petitioner has filed the affidavit of Anita Benjamin Prabhakar one of attesting Witnesses to the Will, in form No.102 of Bombay High Court (Original Side) Rules, 1980. She deposed that deceased signed the Testament and affixed her thumb impression in her presence as well as presence of another witness, after going through its contents. Hence, enough evidence is on record to accept the execution of the Will and petitioner is succeeded to prove the execution of Will. According to her all additions and alteration in a Will were existed at the time of execution before signing the Will. Hence, there is sufficient compliance of the Rule 383 of the Rules.

8) Properties mentioned in the schedule-I of the petition are referred in the Will.

9) Other legatees, namely Zubin Ernest Anchan, Reuben Abraham Anchan & Allan Benjamin Prabhakar, have given consents to grant Letters of Administration to petitioner.

10) Petitioner has executed the administration Bond in the prescribed format. Hence, following order:

ORDER

1) Petition is granted.

2) Office to issue Letters of Administration with Will annexed to the petitioner, as per the Rules, having effect throughout India. 3) Before issuance of Letters of

Administration with Will, the office to verify that there is no cross Petition is pending or caveat is filed. Office to act accordingly.

21st July, 2025 Officer on Special Duty, with Testamentary Department