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2009 Supreme(Mad) 5695

High Court of Judicature at Madras
THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE R. MALA
Jothi Ramalingam
Versus
M.N.Sivagnana Prakasam & Others
S.A.No.191 of 2003
DECIDED ON : 19-12-2009

ADVOCATES APPEARED:
For Appellant: Mr.A.Seshan.
For respondents: Mr.P.B.Ramanujam for RR-1 & 2, No appearance for R-3.

The main legal point established in the judgment is the requirement of proving title and possession in property disputes, the importance of pleadings, issues, and evidence, and the need for a suit for declaration and possession with consequential injunction when there is a dispute over title.

Headnote:

Will - Property Dispute - Indian Succession Act, Hindu Succession Act - Ex.A-9, Ex.A-15, Ex.B-1 - The court discussed the validity of the Wills, testamentary succession, and the requirement of proving title and possession. The court highlighted the importance of pleadings, issues, and evidence in determining title and possession. The court emphasized the need for a suit for declaration and possession with consequential injunction when there is a dispute over title. The court also emphasized that possession follows title and that sufficient proof of title is necessary to claim injunction.

Fact of the Case:

The suit involved a property dispute between the respondents-plaintiffs and the appellant-defendants. The respondents-plaintiffs claimed ownership and possession of the property based on Wills and testamentary succession, while the appellant-defendants claimed title through a sale deed. The trial court dismissed the suit, but the first appellate court allowed the appeal and decreed the suit in favor of the respondents-plaintiffs.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that the respondents-plaintiffs failed to prove their title and possession to the property. The first appellate court's decision was deemed incorrect as it shifted the burden of proof and decreed the suit without sufficient evidence of title and possession.

Issues: The main issues revolved around the validity of the Wills, testamentary succession, the requirement of proving title and possession, and the maintainability of a suit for bare injunction without a prayer for declaration.

Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized the importance of pleadings, issues, and evidence in determining title and possession. It highlighted the need for a suit for declaration and possession with consequential injunction when there is a dispute over title. The court also emphasized that possession follows title and that sufficient proof of title is necessary to claim injunction.

Final Decision: The Second Appeal was allowed, the judgment and decree of the first appellate Court were set aside, and the judgment and decree of the trial Court were restored. The suit was dismissed with no costs.

Judgment :-

The appellant-second defendant has filed the Second Appeal against the judgment and decree dated 110. 2001 in A.S.No.44 of 1999 on the file of the Sub-Court, Ranipet, Vellore District, reversing the judgment and decree dated 9. 1999 in O.S.No.30 of 1996 on the file of the District Munsif-cum-Judicial Magistrate Court, Arcot.

2. Theaverments in the plaint are as follows:

The suit property was originally owned by one Thirugnanasammanda Mudaliar and he executed a Will in favour of his only daughter Balammal alias Bala Gujambal on 14. 1926. On his demise, Balammal succeeded the property. She married one Natarajan, who is the father of the plaintiffs. Balammal alias Bala Gujambal died after giving birth to a son, by name M.N.Sammandan, who also died. So, on the death of his wife, the plaintiffs father succeeded to the property. The plaintiffs are the sons through his second wife, by name Nani Ammal and till his death, he was in possession and enjoyment of the same. On 28. 1985, the said Natarajan executed a Will. It was duly attested when he was sound and disposing state of mind. He died on 19. 1985. So, the plaintiffs are in joint possession and enjoyment of the suit property for more than 50 years. They perfected title to the suit property. The defendants have no right in the property. They unlawfully removed the mulveli trees on 7. 1990 and notice was issued on them. A reply with false allegations has been received. Even if there is any sale in favour of the first respondent, it will not bind the plaintiffs at any cost. The defendants were trying to remove the mud in the schedule mentioned property. Hence, the plaintiffs were constrained to file the suit for injunction. After the filing of the written statement by the first defendant, the plaintiffs came to know that he purchased the property from the second defendant and hence for proper adjudication, the plaintiffs impleaded the second defendant as a party to the suit. Hence, the plaintiffs prayed for permanent injunction.

.3. Thegist and essence of the written statement filed by the first defendant are as follows:

.The execution of the Will is denied. The plaintiffs have no right or title to the suit property. The plaintiffs are absolute strangers to the suit property. The plaintiffs father, namely Natarajan never succeeded to the estate of the deceased wife. He was not the sole surviving legal heir to succeed the estate of his deceased wife. The alleged Will dated 28. 1985 said to have been executed by Natarajan in favour of the plaintiffs is not true. Due execution and attestation of the Will have to be proved by the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs never succeeded to the suit property and never enjoyed the property. All along, the first defendant is in possession and enjoyment of the property. He purchased the suit property by means of registered sale deed in the year 1989 from his vendor Jothi Ramalingam and he was in possession and enjoyment of the same. The title to the suit property was recognised in O.S.No.7 of 1989 on the file of the District Munsif Court, Ranipet. The first defendant and his predecessor-in-title have perfected title to the suit property by long, continuous and uninterrupted possession. So, he prescribed title with the knowledge of the true owner and hence, he prescribed title by adverse possession. The plaintiffs have no title to the suit property. The suit filed by the plaintiffs is not maintainable. The plaintiffs neither prescribed title nor possession to the suit property. Hence, the first defendant prayed for dismissal of the suit.

.4. Thegist and essence of the written statement filed by the second defendant are as follows:

.The suit filed by the plaintiffs without declaration for permanent injunction alone is not maintainable. O.S.No.85 of 1987 filed by the plaintiffs is still in adjudication, as appeal by the defendants in the said suit is still pending in Sub-Court, Ranipet. So, the plaintiffs are estopped from claiming title to th




































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