( 1 ) THE unsuccessful plaintiffs have preferred this appeal against the judgment and Decree dated 24-03-1987 passed by the learned Additional Subordinate Judge, tirupathi, in O. S. No. 136 of 1979. Respondents 1 to 7 herein are the defendants in the suit. The other respondents have been brought on record as the legal representatives of the deceased one or the other respondents during the pendency of the proceedings.

( 2 ) IT is expedient to refer the parties as they are originally arrayed in the suit so as to avoid any confusion and for better understanding of the matter.

( 3 ) THE factual matrix, necessary and germane for adjudicating the contentious issues between the parties inter se may be stated thus: The suit O. S. No. 136 of 1979 was filed seeking a decree for specific performance of the suit agreement of sale- dated 04-11-1978 mentioning inter alia in the plaint that defendants 1 to 3 purchased the lands in an extent of Ac. 13-14 cts, ( b schedule lands for brevity) from the defendants 4 to 7 under an agreement of sale dated 05-05-1974 for a sum of rs. 1,20,000/- as per the terms stipulated therein inter alia and the defendants 4 to 7 received the sale pri