The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation challenging rules, practices, interpretations and applications of Muslim Personal Law governing intestate succession, to the extent that they allegedly provide differential inheritance rights to men and women solely on the ground of sex.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana was hearing the matter. The petitioner has sought a declaration that Muslim women are entitled to equality in matters of inheritance and succession, including with respect to ancestral property.

The plea challenges the differential treatment of male and female heirs under the applicable rules and practices governing intestate succession, contending that such distinctions based solely on sex are inconsistent with the guarantee of equality.

The Court has issued notice on the petition.