HIGH COURT OF CALCUTTA
P. C. Mallick
RAMESH CHANDRA DAS - Appellant
Versus
LAKHAN CHANDRA DAS - Respondent
Testamentary Suit 10 Of 1960
Decided On : FEBRUARY 22, 1961
WILL - Testamentary Instruments - Suspicion - Removal of Suspicion - Evidence of Preparation and Execution - Easement Rights - Understanding of Testatrix - Validity of Will.
Fact of the Case:
The propounder sought probate of a will and codicil executed by the testatrix, bequeathing the majority of her immovable property to her stepbrother Gopinath and a small portion to her husband's sister's son Lakshman. The caveator, Lakshman, contested the validity of the instruments, alleging suspicion due to the propounder's substantial benefit and involvement in their preparation.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the provisions of the will were natural, considering the testatrix's close relationship with Gopinath and her desire to prevent Lakshman from inheriting the entire property. The court also found that the testatrix had sufficient testamentary capacity and that the suspicion raised by the propounder's involvement was removed by evidence of proper preparation and execution.
Issues: 1. Whether the testamentary instruments were tainted with suspicion due to the propounder's substantial benefit and involvement in their preparation? 2. Whether the suspicion was removed by evidence of proper preparation and execution? 3. Whether the testatrix had sufficient testamentary capacity? 4. Whether the will was valid despite the testatrix's inability to understand the provisions regarding easement rights?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. The court held that the facts proved in the case, including the propounder's substantial benefit and involvement in the preparation of the instruments, were sufficient to raise suspicion. However, the suspicion was removed by evidence of proper preparation and execution, including the testatrix's active participation in giving instructions, the presence of independent witnesses, and the testatrix's approval of the final draft. 2. The court found that the testatrix had sufficient testamentary capacity, as evidenced by her ability to give clear instructions, understand the nature and effect of the instruments, and appreciate the consequences of her actions. 3. The court held that the testatrix's inability to understand the provisions regarding easement rights did not vitiate the will, as she was able to understand the main outlines of the disposition of her estate and the division of the property.
Final Decision: The court pronounced in favor of the will, discharged the caveat, and ordered the grant of probate as prayed for by the propounder. The propounder's costs were to be paid out of the estate, and the caveator's costs were also to be paid out of the estate.
( 1 ) (FIRST nine paragraphs not containing any point of law are not reported as being unnecessary for purposes of this report --Ed.)
( 2 ) THE first question to be considered is whether the testamentary instruments in suit are tainted with suspicion. I do not consider the provisions of the will and codicil to be unnatural in the facts of this case. Putting myself in the arm chair of the testatrix, I feel that it was very natural that the provisions of the will and codicil would be as they are. As indicated before, the testatarix had very great love and affection for her step brother Gopinath and his family Had the lady died intestate the house would have devolved on her heir-at-law Lakshman -- her husband's sister's son then alive. Gopinath and his family would in such event have been thrown out from the house where they have been living for more than half a century. What is more natural for the loving sister to prevent this eventuality? On the other hand, Lakshman and his family are well off and never lived either with Adhar or the testatrix. They had their own house to live in. It is therefore not at all unnatural for the testatrix to leave most of the house to her brother Gopinath. Nevertheless, in token of the recognition of the claim of Lakshman and services rendered by Lakshman in the past, she left a portion of the house to Lakshman though it must be conceded that the portion bequeathed to Lakshman is very small indeed. She remembered and made bequest in favour of every relation of herself in her father's side and husband's side some more some less. She made bequest of annuity in favour of the widows living with her. The only comment that can be made, and has been made, is that she did not provide for the residence of these widows. This might have been due to the trust the lady had in Gopinath and his children that they would never eject the widows with whom they have been living so long. I am therefore, apt to consider that the provisions of the will are very natural. It will not do for us to forget she had nobody else to whom she could be expected to bequeath this house. To grant probate to such testamentary instruments the conscience of the court is easily satisfied if satisfactory evidence is given in proof of execution and attestation of the instruments according to law. In the instant case, such evidence has been given as indicated above.
( 3 ) MR. B. C. Mitra, learned counsel for the caveator, however contended that the facts proved in this case are bound to raise the suspicion of the court and once suspicion has been raised, probate will not be granted unless suspicion is removed. The facts relied upon to rouse the suspicion of the court may now be considered. On the evidence it must be held that the lady was very old. She was, in any event, above 80 years of age. I do not however accept the contention of the caveator that she was physically and mentally infirm due to old age or illness. It is proved beyond controversy that she herself went to the City Registration office to tender the will and codicil for registration. To mount the long stairs, to reach the City Registration office in the first floor is a convincing evidence of the physical fitness of the testatrix. There is also the evidence of all witnesses that she was not suffering at all from senile decay and that she was mentally alert which evidence I accept. The internal evidence in the will itself of the disposition of the property convinces me that she had sufficient testamentary capacity. The suspicion that might have been caused due to the old age of the testatrix has been removed by evidence of physical and mental capacity led by the propounder. The next fact to rouse the suspicion of the court is that the propounder is substantially benefited by the instruments and that he took active part in the matter of the preparation and execution of the testamentary instruments. Mr. Mitra cited the leading case of Tyrrell v. Painton, 189
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