New Delhi, Sept. 2 -- A power of attorney (POA) holder cannot gift an owner's property to his own family members when the document does not authorise such a transfer, the Gujarat High Court has ruled. The court also held that a power of attorney executed by a principal comes to an end on the principal's death.

The ruling came in a property dispute involving Purshotam Ranchhodbhai Pankhania, who was living in London with his wife. The Gujarat High Court, in its judgment dated 15 July 2026, allowed Pankhania's appeal and declared a registered gift deed executed by his power of attorney holder in favour of the holder's son and daughter-in-law void ab initio.

The case was Purshotam Ranchhodbhai Pankhania & Ors. v. Harihar Ambalal Patel & Or...