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2005 Supreme(Cal) 118

High Court Of Calcutta
BHASKAR BHATTACHARYA
SARASWATI MONDAL - Appellant
Versus
SACHIDULAL SAHA - Respondent
FIRST APPEAL 261 Of 2001
Decided On : 02/21/2005

Advocates Appeared:
C.K.SAHA, JAYANTA BHATTACHARYA, MURARI MOHON DAS, Sujit Audya

An agreement entered into between the parties at the time of disposal of probate application, contemplating execution of a settlement deed, is not binding unless enforced within the limitation period.

Headnote:

WILL - PROBATE - AGREEMENT - ENFORCEABILITY - LIMITATION - SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE: An agreement entered into between parties at the time of disposal of probate application, contemplating execution of a settlement deed, is not binding unless enforced within the limitation period.

Fact of the Case:

The testator executed a Will bequeathing his property to his wife, Sushilabala. After his death, his son filed an application for grant of probate of an alleged Will executed by the testator. Sushilabala filed an application for grant of probate of the Will executed by her husband. The parties entered into an agreement at the time of disposal of the probate proceedings, whereby Sushilabala was to have life interest in the property and on her death, the property was to vest absolutely in her son. Sushilabala did not execute the settlement deed as per the agreement. The son filed a suit for declaration that the appellant had no right to interfere with his right, title and interest in the property and for injunction. The appellant filed a suit for grant of probate of the Will of Sushilabala.

Finding of the Court:

The Court held that the agreement entered into between Sushilabala and the son was not binding upon the parties as it was not enforced within the limitation period. The Court further held that the probate granted in favor of Sushilabala conferred absolute right, title and interest in the half share of the testator in the property and the same has become final.

Issues: Whether the agreement entered into between the parties at the time of disposal of probate application is binding upon the parties.

Ratio Decidendi: An agreement entered into between the parties at the time of disposal of probate application, contemplating execution of a settlement deed, is not binding unless enforced within the limitation period. A Probate Court cannot grant probate on the consent of the parties nor can such Court decide whether the testator had any title to the property mentioned in the Will. In order that a probate can be granted in favor of an executor, the Probate Court must be satisfied that the Will in question was the last Will and testament of the deceased, that the same was duly executed and attested and was not obtained by practicing fraud, coercion, undue influence etc.

Final Decision: The appeals were allowed and the judgment and decree passed by the learned Trial Judge were set aside.

BHASKAR BHATTACHARYA, J.

( 1 ) THESE two appeals were heard analogously as those are preferred against the common judgment dated 30th August, 2000 passed by the learned Judge, 8th Bench, City Civil Court at Calcutta in two suits being Title Suit No. 2234 of 1981 and Title Suit No. 1513 of 1989 thereby decreeing both the suits.

( 2 ) THE facts giving rise to filing of those two suits may be summed up thus: (a) One Gopi Kanta Saha, the father of the parties had eight annas share in premises No. 5a, Ram Mohan Saha Lane, Calcutta. The said Gopi kanta Saha executed a Will dated 29th July, 1966 bequeathing his right, title and interest in the property in favour of his wife Sushilabala. On may 14, 1968 the said Gopi Kanta Saha died living behind his widow sushilabala, one son, the respondent No. 1 herein and two daughters, the appellant and respondent No. 2 respectively. (b) On 17th September, 1968 Sushilabala filed an application for grant of probate of the Will of Gopi Kanta Saha dated 29th July, 1966 before the original Side of this Court which was ultimately marked as testamentary Suit No. 8a of 1973. On June 11, 1969 the respondent no. 1, the son of Gopi Kanta Saha filed another application for grant of probate of an alleged Will dated 30th June, 1968 said to have been executed by Gopi Kanta Saha and the said application was subsequently marked as Testamentary Suit No. 5 of 1971. (c) On 14th September, 1973 Testamentary Suit No. 8a of 1973 was allowed thereby granting probate in respect of Will dated 29th July, 1966 in favour of Sushilabala and at the time of disposal of the said proceedings, an agreement was entered into between Sushilabala and her son, the respondent No. 1 herein, regarding future devolution of interest in the property which is the subject-matter of the Will and such terms of settlement were directed to be kept on record on that day. The other testamentary Suit being Testamentary Suit No. 5 of 1971 filed by the son of the testator for grant of probate of the alleged Will dated 30th april, 1968 was dismissed. (d) According to the agreement that was filed at the time of disposal of the probate proceedings, Sushilabala should have life interest in the premises in question and possession thereof without power of alienation and on the death of Sushilabala, the said property should vest absolutely in favour of her son. It was further stipulated that Sushilabala should execute a deed of settlement in favour of her son subject to her life estate and right of possession before issue of probate to her and the said son would be continuing to live in a portion of the said premises and to pay Rs. 60/- per month to Sushilabala by way of maintenance. It was further stated that if the said son did not reside in the said premises, he would not pay the sum of Rs. 60/- but Sushilabala should be at liberty to let out that portion of the premises. (e) Ultimately, on March 1,1976 probate of Will dated 29th July, 1966 was issued in favour of Smt. Sushilabala although, as per agreement entered into between the parties, Sushilabala did not execute any deed of settlement and at the same time, it appears that while the learned advocate for the respondent No. 1 asked Sushilabala to execute the deed, the learned Advocate for Sushilabala expressed refusal on her part to execute such deed on 4th April, 1974. (f) On May 26, 1976 the learned Advocate for the respondent No. 1 again called upon Sushilabala to execute deed of settlement but no such deed was executed. Thereafter on January 21, 1978 the respondent No. 1 filed an application before the Original Side of this Court for issue of fresh probate with the copy of the terms of settlement. Ultimately, such application was rejected on 15th March, 1978 refusing the prayer for grant of fresh probate. (g) On 13th November, 1978 Sushilabala filed a suit under section 41 of the Presidency Small Causes Court Act being Suit No. 4403 of 1978 for eviction of her son, the respondent No. 1 and on 20t








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