Hindu Succession Act Doesn't Apply To Scheduled Tribes: Supreme Court Reiterates

This article reports a Supreme Court judgment reaffirming that the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, does not automatically apply to members of Scheduled Tribes unless specifically extended by the legislature. The Bench reiterated that tribal inheritance continues to be governed by customary laws unless Parliament explicitly provides otherwise. The ruling emphasises the constitutional protection of tribal customs under Article 13 and Schedule V, which preserve cultural autonomy. The Court clarified that uniform application of Hindu law to tribal communities would violate legislative intent and cultural distinctiveness. The judgment guides lower courts to examine local customs before invoking the Act and ensures that traditional succession practices of Scheduled Tribes are respected.