Pune: In a recent ruling, the Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Court in Pune has ordered a husband to return a scooter gifted by his grandfather to his wife, following a dispute over ownership.

The scooter, which had been a wedding gift, became the subject of a legal battle after the couple separated due to marital conflicts.

Asif and Shabana (names changed) were married in 2018. Shortly after their marriage, Asif’s grandfather, Abdul, gifted a scooter to Shabana as a token of appreciation.

The scooter was registered in Shabana’s name, and although Abdul paid for it, the court ruled that it legally belonged to Shabana as her Streedhan (a form of property or gifts given to a woman at the time of marriage).

However, after a few months, Asif and Shabana began to face marital issues, which eventually led to their separation. Shabana filed a domestic violence case against her in-laws and also demanded possession of the scooter that was gifted to her.

When Asif refused to hand over the scooter, Shabana, through her legal counsel, Advocate Janhavi Bhosale, took the matter to court.

Asif and his grandfather Abdul opposed the claim, with Abdul arguing that since he had paid for the scooter, it should not be handed over to Shabana.

However, the court sided with Shabana, noting that the scooter had been registered in her name and was her rightful property. Additionally, Shabana explained that she was facing difficulties taking her daughter to school without the vehicle, which added weight to her claim.

Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Amol Shinde, who presided over the case, issued an order that the scooter be returned to Shabana. The court also specified that Shabana is not permitted to sell or modify the scooter without the court’s approval.