( 1 ) APPELLANTS herein, the defendants in the trial court, have preferred this appeal under S. 96 of the Code of Civil Procedure against the judgment and decree dated 8-2-1988 passed by the II Additional Civil Judge, Belgaum in Original Suit No. 12 of 1982 decreeing the suit of the respondents for declaration and possession of the suit schedule properties.

( 2 ) WE have heard the learned counsel for the appellants and the learned counsel for the respondents fully and perused the records.

( 3 ) RESPONDENTS filed a suit against the appellants on the following averments: that the suit properties were owned and possessed by one Narayanrao Subhanji Mugalikar who was the husband of plaintiff No. 1 and father of plaintiff No. 2. He died intestate in CTS No. 2338 on 21-12-1978. On his death, respondents 1 and 2 who are the widow and daughter of Narayan Mugalikar succeeded to his estate as Class-I heirs under the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 and as such they become the owners of the suit properties and are entitled to possession of the same. Narayanrao married plaintiff No. 1 in or about 1942. In the course of business as carpenter he prospered and extended his business as Timber