This second appeal is against the judgment and decree of the District Judge, East Tanjore at Nagapattinam made in A.S.123 of 1987, reversing that of the District Munsif of Nagapattinam, in O.S. 262 of 1982. At the time of admission of the second appeal the following substantial question of law was framed : -

"Whether a valid marriage can be inferred from a mere recital of relationship in a document, in the absence of any proof of the form and ceremonies of marriage ?" *

The learned Judge, who admitted the appeal, directed the appeal to be posted on 20-6-1988 for final disposal. Consequently when the application for stay came up before me, I directed counsel on both sides to argue the appeal, and after some adjournments, the appeal was argued today.

2. The plaintiffs prayed for declaration of title to the suit property and for recovery of possession on the ground that they are the children of Thambithurai, who was the owner of the suit property. According to the plaintiffs, the suit property was leased to the defendant by Thambithurai. Thambithurai died in 1979 and the plaintiffs' mother Anjammal died in 1981. The plaintiffs claimed that after the death of Anjammal, they w