P. SATHASIVAM, J.

The first defendant in O.S. No. 20 of 1987 on the file of the Additional Subordinate Judge, Cuddalore, has filed the above appeal. The plaintiff/respondent herein filed the said suit against the first defendant and 15 others, for recovery of a sum of Rs. 30, 41, 285.30 from the first defendant with interest thereon at the rate of 19.5 per cent. per annum from the date of suit till the date of payment. By judgment and decree dated October 25, 1990, the court below has granted a decree for Rs. 19, 18, 792 with interest at 12 per cent. per annum from October 5, 1983, to September 29, 1986, and from the date of the suit till the date of realisation with proportionate costs, hence the present appeal by the first defendant.

The case of the plaintiff is briefly stated hereunder : The plaintiff entered into a contract of insurance with the first defendant on September 12, 1983, to cover the second defendant's buildings, machinery, stocks of all kinds, raw materials, gunny bags, barrels, tins, firewood, waste cashew nut shells, etc., stored and lying in the building at Survey No. 195/1, Neyveli Road, Panickenkuppam Village, Panruti Taluk, South Arcot District, ag