The word “Escheat” is commonly used to denote where the properties of the owner who dies intestate without leaving any legal heir goes to the Government.

In current times, escheat is rare, for persons owning property but having no known heirs make wills and even when they do not, some person having remote kinship is usually found.

Where the Government claims by escheat, the burden lies on it to show that the owner of the estate died without heirs. Proceedings as regard escheat are not to be administratively decided by the state. Ordinary Civil Courts are vested with the jurisdiction to adjudicate upon escheat.