The unsuccessful 3rd defendant in both the courts below is the appellant.

2. The case in brief is as follows:- The plaintiffs filed a suit for declaration that they are the legal heirs of the deceased Chelladurai and entitled to collect all the terminal benefits and for permanent injunction. The first plaintiff is the legally wedded wife and plaintiffs 2 and 3 are the children born to the 1st plaintiff and Chelladurai. Their marriage took place on 25.08.1962 as per the custom prevailing in the Christian community and he died on 19.09.1989. The deceased was employed as a Male Nurse Orderly in the Government Headquarters Hospital at Tuticorin. He was having illicit intimacy with the 3rd defendant. Now, the 3rd defendant proclaims herself as the wife of the deceased and attempting to claim the terminal benefits payable by defendants 1 and 2. Hence, the suit.

The 3rd defendant resisted the suit and contended that the marriage between the 1st plaintiff and the deceased was divorced under a document dated 16.08.1971. The marriage between the 3rd defendant and Chelladurai took place on 04.02.1972 and the marriage was also registered. Both of them lived as husband and wife for a