High Court flags decline in family values amid rising land-dispute litigations

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has observed that property disputes among blood relatives have surged alarmingly over the past quarter-century, highlighting the erosion of familial bonds in the face of material greed behind such conflicts.

Justice Vikram Aggarwal of the High Court asserted that family disputes over property were in existence for centuries, but their frequency and intensity had escalated significantly with the rise in land prices. “No doubt, such litigation and disputes have existed since times immemorial but over the last quarter of a century, such disputes have witnessed a sharp increase,” the Bench observed.

The court added familial bonds were strong in the “good old times”. The young members of the family had enormous respect for the elders and they, too, were fair and caring. “In most families, proper property disputes were looked down upon, especially when disputes erupted between blood relations and close family members,” observed Justice Aggarwal.

The Bench added the values declined as property prices rose over a period of time and disputes turned murkier and violent. “Murders take place over property disputes and civil litigation has become the order of the day,” Justice Aggarwal added.

The court was adjudicating a dispute involving an entire family where no conflict arose while the head of the family was alive. However, the moment the individual passed away, a bitter legal battle ensued over property. “It is unfortunate that in many cases, disputes do not arise during a person’s lifetime, but the moment they leave the mortal world, battle lines are drawn,” the court observed.

Referring to the proverb, “Blood is thicker than water”, the court remarked that it essentially meant that familial bonds would always be stronger than other relationships. “The oldest record of this well-known saying, as per Wikipedia, can be traced back to the 12th Century in the German language where it first appeared in the Medieval German Beast Epic ‘Reinhart Fuchs’ (English meaning ‘Reynard the Fox’,” Justice Aggarwal asserted, making it clear that these bonds were increasingly overshadowed by financial interests.

The judgment is significant as the observations carry an implicit warning — relentless pursuit of property at the cost of family bonds could erode the very fabric of society, leaving behind a legacy of discord rather than harmony. It also expresses deep concern for disintegration of the traditional family structure, where mutual respect and unity once prevailed.