Judgment

RAMASWAMI, J.: This appeal arises out of a suit O.S. No. 351 of 1952 filed for partition by 7 plaintiffs, viz., (1) Sri Raja Venkata Kumara Krishna Yachendra, (2) Sri Raja V. V. Ramakrishna, (3) Sri Raja V. V. Rajagopala Krishna, (4) Sri Raja V. V. Muvva Gopala Krishna, (5) Sri Raja V. Rajeswara Rao, (6) Sri Raja V. Maheshwara Rao and (7) Sri Raja V. Madana Gopala Krishna, minor by next friend and mother Smt. Sridevamma in respect of the Venkatagiri Estate and other properties as accretions to this estate. The first defendant in the suit was the holder of the Zamindari until it was notified and taken over by the State on September 7, 1949. The 3rd and 4th defendants are brothers of the first defendant. The third defendant died during the pendency of the suit and defendants 7 and 8 are his sons. Defendants 4, 5 and 6 are the sons of the 4th defendant. The 9th and 10th defendants are the sons of the 1st defendant. The 4th plaintiff Sri Raja V. V. Muvva Gopala Krishna died during the pendency of the appeals against the suit in the High Court of Madras. After the filing of the petition of appeal in this Court, Sri Raja V. Maheswara Rao, the 6th plaintiff, also died. The relatio