Sam Nariman Lentin v. Gool Rustom Mehta
Case brief
What is this about?
Estate administration reliefs by executors — PAN Card issuance on behalf of estate permitted with caveat of prior Court leave before dealing with estate (prompted by Income Tax Department notice dated 25-12-2024 with penalty threat); renaming of bank accounts and transmission of shares refused at this stage as Testamentary Petition converted into Suit and Will contested; Respondents to file comparative quotation for engaging professional within two weeks; independent applications permitted for bank-account operation/protection of shareholding; Testamentary Suit No. 158 of 2013 in Testamentary Petition No. 656 of 2013, High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Sharmila U. Deshmukh, J., order dated 02-02-2026; Plaintiffs' evidence concluded, adjourned to 16-02-2026.
What did the court decide?
Prayer clause (a) granted: executors permitted to apply for issuance of PAN Card in their name on behalf of the estate, subject to the caveat that leave of the Court be obtained before any steps are taken in respect of the estate; prayer clause (c) noted as already allowed; Respondents to file a comparative quotation (with advance copy to the other side) before the next date and within two weeks; liberty given to the executors to file independent applications for specific bank-account directions and for protection of the deceased's shareholding; prayers (b), (e) and (f) not granted at this stage; Interim Application and Suit stood over to 16 February 2026.