( 1 ) THIS question petition is directed against an order of the Subordinate Judge, Nellore, given on 30/08/1966. It arises in the following circumstances: -

( 2 ) THE respondent plaintiff Duvvuru Rami Reddi filed O. S. No. 73 of 1959 through has next friend, his daughter P. Rangamma. The next friend described the plaintiff as a person of unsound mind. The suit was for partition of the properties set out in the plaint schedules. The suit was instituted against his brother, the first defendant and others. It was inter alia alleged that the plaintiff and the first defendant are brothers and are sons of one Ranga Reddy. The plaintiff has no sons, but has five daughters. One of the five daughters is now the next friend of the plaintiff, defendants 2 to 5 being the other daughters. It was further alleged that the plaintiff was from the beginning a man of weak intellect and was not capable of managing the properties. The first defendant was looking after the same. The plaintiffs mental condition deteriorated further since 1948 and he became frequently insane. The first defendant wanted to partition the property between the plaintiff and himself but it was not accepted by t