A will is a legal document in which a person, known as the testator, expresses their wishes regarding the distribution of their property after death. In India, a registered will holds significant legal weight as it is validated through the registration process under the Indian Registration Act, 1908. However, a registered will can still be contested in court under specific circumstances. 

Grounds for Challenging a Registered Will

1. Lack of Testamentary Capacity: The will can be challenged on the grounds that the testator lacked the mental capacity to make the will at the time it was executed. Under Section 59 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, any person of sound mind and not a minor can make a will. If it is proven that the testator was of unsound mind or under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or illness, the will can be declared invalid. For instance, if a person suffering from dementia makes a will, it can be contested on these grounds.
2. Undue Influence or Coercion: A will can be set aside if it is proven that the testator was under undue influence, coercion, or fraud when executing the document. The court will examine the relationship between the parties and whether the testator was manipulated into drafting a will in favor of particular beneficiaries.
3. Fraud or Forgery: A registered will can be challenged if there is evidence that it was forged or created through fraudulent means. Forgery may include instances where the testator’s signature was falsified or pages of the will were altered after the testator’s death. If fraud or forgery is proven, the court may declare the will void.
4. Improper Execution of the Will: Under Section 63 of the Indian Succession Act, certain formalities are required for the proper execution of a will. It must be signed by the testator in the presence of at least two witnesses, who must also sign the will. If these formalities are not followed, the will can be challenged for not being executed according to law.
5. Exclusion of Legal Heirs Without Reason: While a testator has the right to dispose of their property as they wish, disinheriting legal heirs such as children or spouses without reasonable explanation can raise suspicion. In such cases, the heirs can challenge the will, especially if there is reason to believe that the exclusion was done under suspicious circumstances.

Procedure for Challenging a Registered Will

1. Filing a Civil Suit: To challenge a registered will, an interested party, usually a legal heir, must file a civil suit in the appropriate court. The challenge is typically filed in a district court or a higher court, depending on the value of the estate.
2. Proving Grounds for Challenge: The burden of proof lies on the person challenging the will. They must provide evidence to support their claim, such as medical records (in case of mental incapacity), witness testimonies (for undue influence), or forensic analysis (for fraud or forgery).
3. Probate Proceedings: If the will is contested during probate, the court will conduct a thorough examination of the will’s validity. Probate is a judicial certification of the will, and once granted, the will is presumed to be genuine unless proven otherwise.

Conclusion

Challenging a registered will in India requires substantial evidence and legal grounds such as lack of mental capacity, undue influence, fraud, improper execution, or the unjust exclusion of legal heirs.