1. This second appeal is focussed by the plaintiffs, inveighing the judgement and decree dated 21.8.2003 passed by the Subordinate Judge, Tiruvallur, in A.S.No.21 of 2002 confirming the judgement and decree of dismissal dated 18.12.2001 passed by the District Munsif, Tiruvallur, in O.S.No.217 of 1996, which was filed for specific performance of an agreement to sell.

2. The parties, for the sake of convenience, are referred to here under according to their litigative status and ranking before the trial Court.

3. Compendiously and concisely, the relevant facts absolutely necessary and germane for the disposal of this second appeal would run thus: The appellants herein, as plaintiffs, filed the suit seeking the following relief: "to pass judgement and decree for specific performance of contract directing the defendants 1 to 4 to execute the registered sale deed in respect of the suit properties the plaintiff bearing the registration expenses, failing which the plaintiffs pray that the sale deed may be executed by the Court and for possession of suit items 1 to 3 and for costs."

(extracted as such)

(b) Written statement was filed by D4. D1 to D3 were ex-parte. Whereupon, the t