This is an appeal against the judgment of Krishnaswami Naidu, J., reversing the judgment and decree of the District Judge of Ramanathapuram in A.S. No. 208 of 1953, which confirmed the judgment and decree of the Subordinate Judge of Ramanathapuram at Madurai in O.S. No. 32 of 1952.

One Krishnaswami Reddiar and Narayana Reddiar were two brothers, who became divided, a division of the family properties having been effected by metes and bounds in 1947. Krishnaswami Reddiar died leaving behind his son Ramachandra Reddiar. Narayana Reddiar had two sons Subbiah and Tiruvengadam and one daughter, Lakshmi Ammal. Subbiah died a bachelor in 1948. Thiruvengadam died on 24th October, 1949, leaving behind his widow Alamelu and a daughter, Seetham-mal. Narayana Reddiar had a sister, also named Lakshmi Ammal. After the death of Subbiah and Thiruvengadam, Narayana Reddiar who survived his sons became ill-disposed towards his daughter-in-law, Alamelu and his grand-daughter Seetham-mal. 11 is stated that two or three months after the death of Thiruvengadam, Narayana Reddiar acting on the evil advice of his sister Lakshmi Ammal and his daughter Lakshmi Ammal compelled his daughter-in-la