In H.G. Pattabi v. K.R. Suraj, the Supreme Court held that a karta's sale of joint family property stands once legal necessity is shown, and drew an adverse inference against the plaintiffs for not examining the widow who knew the family's finances. Purchasers and lenders relying on a karta's sale should keep the proof of why the money was needed.
What this changes for a title check
The lesson for the buyer's side is evidence. A karta's sale is usually attacked years later by other coparceners, and the purchaser is the one who has to show the sale was for legal necessity or the benefit of the estate. At the time of purchase, collect and keep the papers that show the need: the debts being cleared, the marriage or medical expense, and the bank record showing the sale money went there. Also take signatures of the adult coparceners, even though the law does not strictly require them, because it removes the argument. In this case the challenge failed partly because the plaintiffs skipped the one witness who knew the accounts and attacked only two of six sales. A buyer with a clean record should not have to depend on that.