Yes, you generally retain ownership of gifts genuinely received from your spouse's family during your marriage, since such gifts, once given, typically become your personal property, distinguishable from the broader Stridhan category which specifically encompasses gifts given to a woman, though the underlying legal principle of protecting genuinely gifted property applies similarly regardless of which spouse received the gift.

To claim ownership of these gifts during your Chennai divorce proceedings, it is helpful to establish clear evidence of the gift-giving itself, including photographs, witness testimony from family members present at the time of gifting, or any documentation that helps establish that specific items were genuinely intended as gifts to you personally rather than joint marital property or items merely held temporarily on your spouse's family's behalf.

If your spouse or their family disputes your ownership claim, asserting that the items were merely loaned or intended as family heirlooms to be returned, the burden often shifts to presenting clear evidence supporting your position that a genuine, unconditional gift was made, making contemporaneous documentation and witness corroboration particularly valuable in resolving such disputes before the family court.

Given that ownership disputes over gifted property can become contentious, particularly regarding valuable items such as jewellery, it is important to work with experienced family law counsel who can help you compile the necessary evidence supporting your claim. Consulting the team at Aapka Legal Advice can help you assert and protect your ownership rights over gifts received during your marriage in your Chennai divorce proceedings.

Given the emotional and financial significance of these ownership disputes, obtaining a second opinion from a retired judge on the strength of your specific evidence can help you approach this matter with confidence. Chennai's experienced family law advocates and retired judges, listed at Aapka Legal Advice's Chennai divorce lawyer directory, regularly assist clients with these property ownership disputes.

In conclusion, you can indeed claim ownership of gifts genuinely received from your spouse's family during your marriage in your Chennai divorce, and properly documenting the circumstances of these gifts significantly strengthens your position in any resulting dispute.