Mohali: Legal heir status prevails, wife of crash victim to get relief despite living separately

The tribunal noted that the wife, Mala, had left her two minor daughters with the deceased’s parents after his death and did not contest the proceedings. She was arrayed as a respondent in the claim petition filed by the victim’s mother, Anar Kali. During the hearing, it emerged that the children had since been brought up by their grandparents, and a custody dispute existed between the two sides. The tribunal noted that the wife, Mala, had left her two minor daughters with the deceased’s parents after his death and did not contest the proceedings. She was arrayed as a respondent in the claim petition filed by the victim’s mother, Anar Kali. During the hearing, it emerged that the children had since been brought up by their grandparents, and a custody dispute existed between the two sides.