ISSUE:
Whether the house was joint family property under Mitakshara law ?
Whether the sale by Badri Prasad was valid in the absence of legal necessity ?
Whether the plaintiffs, as coparceners, had a right to challenge the sale ?
RULE:
Under Mitakshara law (as applicable in Uttar Pradesh), a coparcener cannot alienate joint family property without the consent of other coparceners unless:
1. The sale is for legal necessity (e.g., family expenses, debts, or emergencies).
2. The sale is for the benefit of the estate (e.g., improving or preserving family property).
3. The sale is for payment of antecedent debts (debts incurred before the sale).