The Centre on Monday said that a copy of Jinnah’s will was available on the Pakistan government website as an official document. Jinnah’s will has become a matter of contention between the ongoing dispute between daughter Dina Wadia and the Centre, over the ownership of Jinnah House, a sprawling 10,000 sqm property built in 1917.
Wadia’s counsels argued that in the absence of the will, Wadia would have the right to the bungalow.
Meanwhile, there is a new claimant — Jinnah’s nephew — to the property. Mohammed Ibrahim, son of Jinnah’s younger sister Shirin on Monday claimed right in the Bombay High Court. Ibrahim claimed that the bungalow was bequeathed to his aunt Fatima Jinnah and that he was her legal heir.
On Monday, Wadia’s counsels Fali Nariman and Darius Khambatta questioned the very existence of Jinnah’s will, based on which the Centre was claiming title over the bungalow.
“Despite our repeated requests the copy of the will is not forthcoming. If the very basis of the Union Government claim over the property is the will and they are relying on it, then I am entitled to see the will,” they argued.
In July 2007, Wadia had filed a second petition in court seeking claim over her ancestral property. She alleged that the central government’s move to take over the property was illegal. According to Dina, Jinnah’s will was never probated and hence it had no legal standing.
{{/usCountry}}In July 2007, Wadia had filed a second petition in court seeking claim over her ancestral property. She alleged that the central government’s move to take over the property was illegal. According to Dina, Jinnah’s will was never probated and hence it had no legal standing.
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