B. P. JEEVAN REDDY, J.

( 1 ) A question of some importance which arises for decision in this appeal can a widow claim maintenance from the persons in possession of her father-in-law s self-acquired estate bequeathed to them under a will? The question arises this way; the suit was laid by the plaintiff (appellant) for partition or, in the alternative, for maintenance, on the allegation that the defendant, her husband s brother is in possession of joint family property. The defendant denied the allegation. According to him, the plaintiff s husband, who pre-deceased his father, bad during his own lifetime demanded partition from bis father, but which claim was immediately denied by the latter. The father had asserted that there was no joint family property or coparcenary property to be dividd between him and the plaintiff s husband and that, the property alleged to be joint family property is his self-acquired and separate property inspite of this specific denial the plaintiff s husband took no steps whatsoever for a period of more than twelve years to establish or enforce his right in the property. The defendant farther contended that the suit property which was the self-acquired prop

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