Sathiadev, J.

1. Plaintiffs are appellant. They filed a suit, O.s. No. 114 of 1971 on the file of Sub-Court, Erode for the relief of declaration and possession, with mesne profits of the suit property, or alternatively for partition and separate possession of one-half share with damages; or alternatively to award past and future maintenance to plaintiffs and for such other reliefs to which they are entitled to.

2. First plaintiff died during the pendency of the appeal, and plaintiff Rs 2' to 4 being her heirs are already on record.

3. It is not in dispute that the suit property and other properties were ancestral properties of one E.C. Subramania Iyer, who had two sons being E.S Dhandapani Iyer and Ranganatha Iyer.

4. It is claimed by plaintiffs that Ranganatha was employed in a bus transport company and was also having a taxi and that he married one Bagirathi as his first wife. A son by name Pichan was born to them. As his first wife was inflicted with T.B., to care for her, first plaintiff came into the household and as Ranganatha developed a liking to her, the marriage between Ranganatha and first plaintiff took place on 1.2.1933 in the house, in the presence of relatives an