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1996 Supreme(SC) 735

1996(4) Supreme 722
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
K. Ramaswamy and G.B. Pattanaik, JJ.
Namburi Basava Subrahmanyam -Appellant
versus
Alapati Hymavathi & Ors. -Respondents
Civil Appeal No. 7599 of 1996
(Arising out of SLP (C) No. 26602 of 1995)
Decided on 2-4-1996

Headnote:Interpretation of Deed-Properties bequeathed by mother in favour of two daughters by two settlement deeds-One daughter died-Settlement deed revoked-Will executed giving properties gifted in favour of deceased daughter to another daughter-Right, title and interest in property created in favour of her second daughter but only on her demise she was to acquire absolute right to enjoyment, alienation etc.-Mother created in herself a life interest in property and vested remainder in favour of her second daughter-She had created right and interest in Praesenti in favour of her daughter with a life estate for her enjoyment during her life time-The document to be construed as a settlement deed but not as a will. (Para 5)

       

ORDER

Leave granted.

2. We have heard the counsel on both sides. This appeal by special leave arises from the judgment and order dated July 11, 1995 of the Division Bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court made in L.P.A. No. 124/89. The undisputed facts are that Ch. Seshmma had two daughters, namely, Hymavathy and Vimalavathy. She had bequeathed her properties to her daughters by two settlement deeds executed and registered on 1.12.1958. The appellant is the husband of Vimalavathy, who died on May 4, 1970. On August 21, 1970, Seshamma had revoked the settlement deed Ex.B-1 and executed will Ex.A-1 giving the properties gifted in favour of Vimalavathy to her daughter Hymavathy. Seshamma died on January 26, 1976. Smt. Hymavathy filed O.S. No. 35/78 in the Court of Subordinate Judge, Tenali. The trial Judge relying on the evidence of DW 1-3, has held that Ex.B-1 is a settlement deed and that, therefore, the will Ex.A-1 is not valid in law. Accordingly, he dismissed the suit. The learned single Judge by judgment and decree dated December 13, 1988 confirmed the decree of the trial Court. The Division Bench, as stated earlier, in the impugned judgment decreed the suit as claimed by Hymavathy. Thus this appeal by special leave.

3. The only question is the interpretation of the deed Ex.B-1. It is true, as right contended by Smt. K. Amareshwari, learned Senior counsel for the respondents, that the nomenclature of the document is not conclusive. The recitals in the document as a whole and the intention of the executent and acknowledgement thereof by the parties are conclusive. The court has to find whether the document confers any interest in the property in praesenti so as to take effect intra vivos and whether an irrevocable interest thereby, is created in favour of the recipient under the document, or whether the executant intended to transfer the interest in the property only on the demise of the settlor. Those could be gathered from the recitals in the document as a whole. The settlement deed reads as under:

"I am 78 years old by now. Since I have suffering from Nanju disease and breathlessness and Asthama and I feel that it would be difficult for me to live long. You happened to be my daughter. Out of great love and affection, I have for you, I, having felt strong desire got this settlement deed executed in your favour this day, settling the properties mentioned in the schedule hereunder i.e., the property I had purchased on 21.11.1935 from Sharadappa wife of Damarla Anajaiah and Vejella Veeraiah and others which is my self-acquired property, and the land developed upon me out of the property of my husband under a decree passed by the Andhra Pardesh High Court and which has been in my absolute rights and enjoyment, to belong to you after my death to be enjoyed by you with absolute rights. Therefore, taking possession of the schedule land after my death you may enjoy the same freely and happily till the sun and moon endure together with trees, water stones, treasures and treasure troves with all the rights with absolute powers of disposition by way of gift, mortgage, exchange, sale etc., from your son to grand son and so on by paying the taxes of the municipality, Government etc., from then onwards. I, heirs of my successors shall never raise any dispute against you, your heirs or successors in this behalf. Having assured you and made you to believe that the schedule mentioned properties have not been alienated and have not been subjected to any attachments of courts, securities etc., and are free from all encumbrances and which are in my absoulte right and enjoyment, this deed of settlement is got executed and "delivered to you"."

4. The Division Bench on its reading of the said document has construed it to be a will. Unfortunately, it did not read the recital in the Schedule to the Settlement deed. The boundaries of the properties settled (details of which are not material; hence omitted) through this settlement deed through








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