The second appeal arises out of the judgment and decree dated 29.11.2000 rendered in A.S.No.61 of 1993 on the file of the Subordinate Judge, Kanchipuram confirming the judgment and decree 11.12.1992 in O.S.No.249 of 1983 on the file of the District Munsif, Tiruttani.

2. The plaintiffs filed the suit for partition. The first plaintiff is the widow of one Thangavel Reddy and the second plaintiff is her minor daughter and third plaintiff is her minor son. The case of the plaintiffs is that there was a joint family consisting of one Somu Reddy and his three sons, viz., Manicka Reddy (second defendant's husband), Rathna Reddy (the first defendant) and Thangavel Reddy (the first plaintiff's husband). It is the case of the plaintiffs that the suit properties are joint family properties belonging to the joint family of Somu Reddy. The case of the plaintiffs is that the first plaintiff's husband Thangavel Reddy died two years prior to the institution of the suit and after his death, other members of the family refused to give the share due to the plaintiffs and hence, they filed the suit for partition on the ground that the first plaintiff's husband, Thangavel Reddy was one of th