1984 Supreme(Mad) 269
1985 2 MLJ 298
Mohan, J.
Palanivelayutham And Ors.
Versus
Ramassamy And Ors.
Decided on: 12/7/1984
A.S.No.1058 of 1977 and Memo of Cross Objections
Right of trusteeship not a limited interest.
Headnote:Hindu law-Trust-Wife of founder of the trust becoming trustee after death of founder-Held, right of trusteeship not a limited interest, same can be only bequeathed by will.
Mohan, J.
1. Defendants 1 to 5 are the appellants in this appeal. The same arises out of the judgment and preliminary decree for partition rendered in O.S. No. 341 of 1968 on the file of the Sub-court, Madurai.
2. The facts are as under: During the minority of the plaintiffs, the suit was filed by P.W.1 for partition and separate possession of the plaintiffs' l/6th share in the suit properties. The suit filed was approved by the plaintiffs on their attaining majority. According to the plaint, the plaintiffs and the seventh defendant are the sons of Sivasankara through his second wife while defendants 1,5 and 6 are the sons through his first wife. The eighth defendant is the second wife or Sivasankaran. Sivasankaran died on 27th January, 1956. The suit properties are ancestral properties of the said Sivasankaran who inherited the same. The suit properties remained as joint family properties of the plaintiffs and defendants 1,5 and 6 who continued as members of the joint family and as undivided even after the death of Sivasankaran. The plaintiffs and defendants 7 and 8 are separately residing at Nilayur. The suit properties were in the enjoyment of the plaintiffs and defendants 1 and 5 to 7. Defendants 1, 5 and 6 are not giving any income to the plaintiffs and defendants 7 and 8 as far as A and C Schedule properties are concerned. They began to alienate the joint family properties without any legal necessity or for any family benefit. Thus, they have alienated the B Schedule properties in favour of defendats 12 to 46. The same is not binding; nor are the other alienations. The C Schedule properties originally belonged to one Palanivelayutham Pillai. He made an endowment in favour of the 11th defendant in respect of those properties, creating a charge and directing some kattalais by virtue of Ex.B-506, dated 18th February, 1907 and the right of the trusteeship and the C Schedule properties were inherited by Sivasankaran. He was doing service as directed in the said deed and enjoying the C Schedule properties absolutely. After the death of Sivasankaran, defendants 1 and 5 to 7 and the plaintiffs inherited the trusteeship and the C Schedule properties and they were doing service. However, later on, in collusion with defendants 1, 5 and 6, the defendants 9 and 10 were trying to change the name in the pattas and house tax receipts. They were also trying to interfere with the management of the trust and the C Schedule properties to which they have no right. The movable properties described in D Schedule are liable to be divided. Though a sale deed in respect of some of the properties has been executed by Sivasankaran that was never intended to be acted upon Further Sivasankaran has nominated a trustee who is totally a different person. That nomination is invalid.
3. The 48th defendant remains as an unmarried daughter of Sivasankaran. She does not want to get married. Since provisions for the marriage and maintenance of the 48th defendant and her sisters' have already been made, she is not entitled to claim anything from the suit properties. More so, because she is an earning member. With these allegations, the plaintiffs claim 2/6 share and defendants 1 to 7 and 12 to 46 are liable to pay future mesne profits in respect of the properties which are in their possession and enjoyment. A notice was issued claiming partition. That was refuted by some false allegations. Hence the suit.
4. In the written statement of defendants 1,5 and 6 it was alleged that it is not true to say that the properties are the ancestral properties of Sivasankaran. It is false to allege that the properties mentioned in A to B Schedule are the joint family properties of plaintiffs and defendants 1 to 7. Sivasankaran was entitled to several items in A Schedule, Item 9 belonged to the 1st defendant alone by virtue of a Will, dated 1st July, 1955. The alienations complained of had been done only with a view to discharge family debts. They were also for family nec