ISSUE:
Whether Marappa Gounder’s property was self-acquired or a joint family property?
Whether his only daughter could inherit the property under Hindu law prevailing before the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 if the property was self-acquired?
Whether after his daughter’s death without any issue, the property would devolve by inheritance or survivorship?
RULE:
A sole daughter is entitled to inherit her father's self-acquired property if he dies intestate, even before the enactment of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956.
However, upon the daughter's death intestate and issueless, the property devolves upon her father's heirs as per Section 15(1)(b) of the Act.