The applicant sought a declaration that a missing individual was deceased under the Declarations of Death Act, 2002, or alternatively, an absentee under the Absentees Act.
The applicant also sought to be appointed as a committee for the individual's property and to be authorized to swear the individual's death for estate trustee applications.
The court found the applicant had standing as an "interested person" under DODA, both directly due to her significant efforts and emotional interest, and indirectly by being appointed as a committee under the Absentees Act.
The court declared the individual an absentee and deceased as of the hearing date, August 28, 2023, based on compelling evidence of her disappearance for over seven years and extensive inquiries.
The applicant was appointed as the committee for the individual's property and authorized to swear to her death for estate purposes.
