Sujata Mahendra Mehta v. Jayant Mahendra Mehta

Before : Shri E. B. Sivakumar, Addl. Registrar (O.S.) / Addl. Prothonotary and Senior Master Date: 22nd January, 2026 CALLED FOR HEARING AND FINAL DISPOSAL::

7. CHOL/ 24/2026 AMH20240129954C202600003 ) ) ) Smt. Jyoti Badgujar i/by Lakdawala & Company Advocate for the Applicant / Petitioner.

IN TP /11/2026 P.C.

By this Chamber Order the Applicant seeks permission to serve the citation upon Ms. Sheetal Jayant Mehta, daughter of the deceased by way of substituted service as per schedule annexed to the Chamber Order.

2.

Perused the schedule. The Applicant applies for publication of citation in two newspapers viz. "Free Press Journal" in English Language and in "Janma Bhoomi" in vernacular language i.e. Gujarati, widely circulated in Mumbai.

3.

Perused the affidavit in support. The Applicant has stated in the affidavit that, during the lifetime of the deceased had divorced his wife viz. Mrs. Deepa alias Shobha Bhagubhai Thakkar by Decree of Divorce dated 1st July, 1992 passed by the Fmaily Court at Bandra in Petition No. A-162 of 1990. It is further stated that, as per the Decree of Divorce the custody of his only daughter Ms. Sheetal Jayant Mehta was granted to his ex-wife of the deceased. It is further stated that, since the divorce of the deceased neither his ex-wife nor his daughter had maintained any relations with the deceased or family members and the Applicant is not aware whereabouts of the daughter of the deceased. It is further stated

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that, they never visited the deceased during his lifetime or his funeral and they have not been in touch with the Applicant for more than 30 years and no one is aware of their whereabouts. The Applicant, therefore, requested to permit her to publish the citation in two newspapers viz. "Free Press Journal" in English Language and in "Janmabhoomi" in vernacular language i.e. Gujarati, widely circulated in Mumbai and Rajkot, Gujarat.

4.

Heard. Ld. Advocate for the Applicant submits that, during the lifetime of the deceased had divorced his wife viz. Mrs. Deepa alias Shobha Bhagubhai Thakkar by Decree of Divorce dated 1st July, 1992 passed by the Family Court at Bandra in Petition No. A-162 of 1990. She further submits that, as per the Decree of Divorce the custody of his only daughter Ms. Sheetal Jayant Mehta was granted to his ex-wife of the deceased. She further submits that, since the divorce of the deceased neither his ex-wife nor his daughter had maintained any relations with the deceased or family members and the Applicant is not aware whereabouts of the daughter of the deceased. She further submits that, they never visited the deceased during his lifetime or his funeral and they have not been in touch with the Applicant for more than 30 years and no one is aware of their whereabouts. She, therefore, prays that, the Chamber Order be allowed.

5.

Perused para 8 of the Petition. For the reasons mentioned in the affidavit in support the Chamber Order is allowed. Applicant to publish the citation in two newspapers viz. "Free Press Journal" in English Language and in "Janmabhoomi" in vernacular language i.e. Gujarati, widely circulated in Mumbai and Rajkot Gujarat, by way of substituted service of citation upon Ms. Sheetal

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Jayant Mehta, daughter of the deceased within four weeks from the date of uploading this Order. Applicant to file the affidavit of publication once the citation is published within two weeks thereafter.

6.

Registry is directed to issue fresh citation, if required. 22.01.2026 Addl. Registrar (O.S.) / Addl. Prothonotary and Senior Master sbk