( 1 ) FIRST appeal has been filed by defendants 1 to 4 against the judgment and decree dt. 27-1-1987 passed by Sub-ordinate judge, Guntur in O. S. No. 316 of 1979. Cross-objections have been filed by the plaintiffs. Both the cases are being disposed of by this common judgment. The parties shall hereinafter be referred to as they are arrayed in the suit.

( 2 ) THE plaintiffs laid the suit for a declaration that the gift deed dt. 6-11-1979 which was registered on 12-11-1979 purported to have been executed by late punna Reddy in favour of defendants 2 and 3 was illegal and void. They also sought a declaration that they were in possession of the suit property. Alternatively they prayed that if the Court did not find them in possession of the property, they should be given possession of the suit property which was gifted out and is mentioned in items 1 and 2 of plaint B schedule properties and item No. 2 of plaint C schedule property. The plaintiffs also sought permanent injunction restraining the defendants from interfering in their possession and enjoyment over the suit schedule properties.

( 3 ) THE contentions raised by the plaintiffs were that the suit schedule prop