1. This case has been referred to a Full Bench for decision, by the following order;

"Important questions of law regarding inheritance among Sree Bhandara Chettis - a minority community of considerable numerical strength in the Trivandrum District - arise for decision in this case, and the rulings of the Travancore High Court on the matter are not uniform. We consider that there should be an authoritative pronouncement on these questions by a Full Bench, and so we accede to the request of the learned counsel appearing on both sides and refer this case for hearing and disposal by a Full Bench".

2. The suit was to set aside a deed of partition and for recovery of possession of immovable properties in case the defendants trespassed on the same after suit or were found to be in possession. The properties which form the subject matter of the suit were acquired in the name of Mathevi Kali (deceased). She had two sons, Padmanabhan and Raman, and three daughters, Bhagavathy, Lekshmi (first defendant) and Narayani. Bhagawathi had five daughters including the first plaintiff; the other daughters are not parties to the suit. Padmanabhan had not married but he and Raman were having o