Reviewed case brief

Durgah Committee, Ajmer v. Syed Hussain Ali

AIR 1961 SC 1402

The Supreme Court held that while custom has the force of law in personal law and can regulate rights and obligations within a community, it must yield to an express statutory provision when there is a conflict. The case clarifies the hierarchy between custom and legislation as sources of law.

custompersonal-lawstatutory-supremacyhistorical-school
Court
Supreme Court of India
Year
1961
Subjects
Jurisprudence
Reviewed
2026-06-30

Rule established

Custom has the force of law in personal law matters but yields to an express statutory provision

Facts

    Issues

      Held

        Ratio decidendi

        How to use it in an exam

        Editorial source

        Supreme Court Reports

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