JUDGMENT :

SATYANARAYANA RAJU, J.

2. This appeal arises out of the judgment and decree of the Court of the Subordinate Judge, Visakhapatnam, in O.S. No. 107 of 1952.

3. The facts necessary for appreciating the contentions raised in this appeal may be briefly stated. In the village of Bapirajukottapalli, in the Golugonda Taluk of the Visakhapatnam District, there was a Koppula-Velama family, consisting of three brothers, Sambamurti, Ramamurthy and Appalanaidu. Sambamurti and his brothers by their joint exertions acquired certain lands by purchase. Sambamurti had a son by name Narayanamurti. Narayanamurti died on the 12th February 1951. Sambamurti died a few months later in October 1951. The plaintiff is the widow of Narayanamurti. The 1st defendant is her mother-in-law, the 3rd defendant is the daughter of the 2nd defendant. It is claimed by the 2nd defendant that she was marriejd to Narayanamurti and that the 3rd defendant is the off spring of the marriage, Her status as the wife of Narayanamurti is one of the matters in controversy in this appeal. Defendants 4 to 7 are the alienees of certain properties from Sambamurti, his son Narayanamurti, and the 2nd defendant.

4. The plaintiff