The Delhi High Court has permitted inspection of the original purported Will dated February 7, 2025, allegedly executed by late Arvind Singh Mewar, in the ongoing testamentary dispute involving the Mewar royal family estate.
The order was passed by Joint Registrar (Judicial) Dr. Jagminder Singh in a case filed by Shri Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar. Respondent No. 2 had moved an application under Section 151 of the Civil Procedure Code seeking inspection of the original testamentary writing filed by the petitioner.
The application was opposed by the petitioner on multiple grounds, including maintainability, with objections also raised to permitting inspection of the document either by counsel or by a handwriting/forensic expert. Counsel appearing for Padmaja submitted that since the Will itself had been challenged, examination of the original document was essential and contended that the signatures appearing on the alleged Will were disputed. It was further argued that the right to inspect the original document could not be denied in such circumstances.
The Court heard the parties at length and was inclined to permit inspection of the document. Thereafter, the petitioner withdrew objections to the application.
The Court recorded that respondent No. 2 may inspect the original Will along with a handwriting/forensic expert. However, it was specifically agreed that neither respondent No. 2 nor the expert would take photographs of the document during inspection. The Court also recorded the submission that if any necessity for photographs arose subsequently, respondent No. 2 would pursue remedies available under law.
Further, the Court directed that the name of the handwriting expert be communicated to the petitioner’s counsel one day prior to the inspection. The matter has been listed on May 15, 2026 at 12 noon for inspection of the original Will.
Separately, the Court also issued notice on impleadment applications filed by Maharana Vishvaraj Singh Mewar under Order I Rule 10 CPC seeking to be added as a party to the proceedings. Replies have been directed to be filed within four weeks.
The Joint Registrar further directed that the main matter, along with an application filed by respondent No. 2 seeking appointment of an administrator, be placed before the Court on the already scheduled date of May 19, 2026.
Appearances:
For the Petitioner: Mr. Darpan Wadhwa, Senior Advocate with Mr. Rishi Agrawala and Mr. Pratham Vir Agarwal, Advs.
For the Respondent: Ms. Nidhi Jaswal and Mr. Chaitanya Sharma, Advs. for R-1 Mr. Chaitanya Kaushik and Mr. Kunal Dutt, Advs. for R-2
Ms. Bani Brar, Adv. for R-3
Mr. Jatinder Kumar Sethi, Adv. with Mr. Mrigraj Sigh Rathore and Mr. Rahul Choudhary, Advs. for Objector
Mr. P. Sinha, Mr. Rudra Dutta and
Ms. Kashvi Dutta, Advs. for applicant/Impleader
