No better title than the vendor: sale by a person lacking interest conveyed no valid title to the property.

A purchaser cannot obtain a better title than the vendor possesses, and a transfer by a person with no subsisting right, title or interest conveys no valid title. On the facts stated, the vendor had migrated to Pakistan before 14 August 1947, had become a Pakistani citizen, and after his mother's death had no remaining interest in the land; the proceedings and patta in his favour were therefore void. The sale to the appellants could not cure that defect, so no valid title passed. The property was accordingly treated as liable to proceedings on the footing of enemy property, and the challenge failed.

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Issues: Whether the appellants acquired any valid title to the property from a vendor who had ceased to be an Indian citizen and had no subsisting right, title or interest in the property.

Analysis: On the facts found, the vendor had migrated to Pakistan before 14 August 1947, had become a citizen of Pakistan, and after the death of his mother had no right, title or interest in the land. The proceedings and patta in his favour were void. A purchaser can acquire no better title than that of the seller, and therefore the sale in favour of the appellants could not confer any valid title. The property was treated as liable to proceedings on the footing that it was enemy property.

Conclusion: The appellants did not acquire any valid title to the property and the challenge to the proceedings failed.

Ratio Decidendi: A purchaser cannot obtain a better title than the vendor possesses, and a transfer by one who has no subsisting right, title or interest in the property conveys no valid title.

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