Judgment

Ruma Pal, J.—Leave granted.

2. Sir Datar Singh (described as DS) was a wealthy man owning several properties. When he died in 1973, his family consisted of his wife and four children. The present appeals originated in a legal tussle between the heirs over the properties of DS. During the various litigations DS’s widow, whom we will call Lady DS, died. Their two sons, Mahinder and Maninder are also dead. The disputes were continued between the two daughters of DS and Lady DS viz. Amteshwar Anand (AA), Kirpal Kaur (KK) and KK’s daughter, Guneeta, on the one hand and the heirs of Maninder and Mahinder on the other. It is unnecessary to burden this judgment with the names of all the parties except to note the name of the main respondent in these appeals. He is Virender Mohan Singh (VMS) and is the son of Maninder. He is supported by the other heirs of Maninder who are also respondents before us, including Maninder’s eldest son, Anand Deep Singh (ADS). Although Mahinder’s heirs are separately represented they also support VMS.

3. The basic question to be decided in these appeals is whether the disputes between the parties were set at rest by a valid consent decree dated 25th Augu