52. Post Office Savings Bank General Rules, 1981 – Nominee/ survivor of joint account holder in Post office saving schemes – Legal heir’s right -- Rules showed that in case of rival claims on the death of an account-holder, the post office shall discharge its liability by giving amount to the nominee(s) -- Likewise in case of ‘Monthly Income Scheme Account’ on death of a joint account holder, account will be treated single and surviving depositor is permitted to withdraw the access amount beyond the limit prescribed for single depositor -- These Rules do not provide that legal heir(s) is/are not entitled to the amount left by the deceased – Held, a nominee is a temporary custodian appointed by owner until succeeded by legal heirs -- Rights of a nominee are subordinate to those of beneficiaries of the law -- Since, plaintiffs have been declared as class-I legal heirs of deceased, therefore, they are entitled to lay claim over the amount left by the deceased in schemes and the saving account. (P&H) Decided on: 22.04.2024