2011 (5) CTC 262
High Court of Judicature at Madras
S. PALANIVELU
G. Lalitha & Others
Versus
G. Ponnurangam & Others
T.O.S.Nos.2 of 1981 & 26 of 2008
Decided on : 07-06-2011
Will - Testamentary Original Suit - 1. [Tamil Nadu] - [Indian Succession Act, 1925, Section 57] - The court discussed the validity and enforceability of two wills executed by the deceased, considering the circumstances of their execution, attestation, and legal enforceability. The court emphasized the principles of undue influence, suspicious circumstances, and unnatural disposition in the wills, and concluded that the wills were not valid and enforceable. 2. [Tamil Nadu] - [Indian Succession Act, 1925, Section 213] - The court examined the execution and attestation of the wills, and found that while the execution and attestation were established, the validity and enforceability of the wills were at stake due to suspicious circumstances and unnatural disposition. The court held that the wills were not legally enforceable.
Fact of the Case:
The case involved a dispute over the validity and enforceability of two wills executed by the deceased, with the plaintiffs seeking letters of administration for the will dated 14.08.1968, and the defendants denying the validity of the will dated 02.06.1977 and claiming rights to the suit property.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that while the execution and attestation of the wills were established, the validity and enforceability of the wills were at stake due to suspicious circumstances and unnatural disposition, leading to the conclusion that the wills were not legally enforceable. The court dismissed both Testamentary Original Suit Nos.2 of 1981 and 26 of 2008, ruling in favor of the defendants.
Issues: The issues included the validity and enforceability of the wills, soundness of the deceased's state of mind, non-joinder of necessary parties, and the relief entitled to the plaintiff.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized the principles of undue influence, suspicious circumstances, and unnatural disposition in the wills, and held that the plaintiffs failed to establish the legal enforceability of the wills. The court also highlighted the requirement for proper particulars and evidence to establish coercion and strained relationships in the execution of the wills.
Final Decision: Both Testamentary Original Suit Nos.2 of 1981 and 26 of 2008 were dismissed, and no costs were awarded.
1. [For the sake of convenience, the ranks of the parties as mentioned in TOS No.2 of 1981 are referred in this judgment]
The allegations contained in the plaint in TOS No.2 of 1981 are as follows-
1[A] Both the parties are the sons and daughters of Pattammal and Govindaswamy Naicker. They are residing in Door No.9 (New No.60), Swamipillai Stree4t, Choolai, Chennai – 600 007. Pattammal died on 15.07.1977 at the above said address. The suit property belonged to her. She executed a registered will on 02.06.1977 bequeathing her property namely the suit property to the plaintiff and the 3rd defendant herein. The amount of assets which is likely to come to the petitioner's hands does not exceed in the aggregate a sum of Rs.44,780/-. The plaintiff undertakes to duly administer the properties of Pattammal.
1[B] The plaintiff being poor and illiterate was not aware of the procedure and was contented that the will executed in her favour under the premise that the will itself would give her valid right in the property. The defendants were allowed to be in possession partly in the bequeathed property, began giving the trouble and hence the plaintiff consulted and got legal advice that she has to file a Testamentary Original Suit. The original will was also misplaced and could be traced only during 2nd week of July 1980 and it was accidentally found to have got up mixed with other documents belonging to the plaintiff's father-in-law. Hence, the suit could not be filed within three years from the date of death of the deceased. Hence, letters of administration may be granted.
2. Written statement filed by the 1st and 2nd defendants contains the following allegations -
2[A] The defendants deny the validity of the suit will alleged to have been executed by Pattammal. She did not execute any will. She was not in a sound state of mind to execute any will on 02.06.1977 and she was not well and was also admitted to the hospital. Pattammal can sign, can put her signature but in the will, thumb impression is found. Even the same was obtained when she was in the stage of not understanding the same. It was forcibly taken by her son-in-law in a taxi under coercion. The suit is not maintainable for the reason of non-joinder of necessary parties. The sister was not made as a party.
2[B] Deceased Pattammal had executed a registered will in the year 1968 bequeathing the suit property in favour of the 1st and 2nd defendants herein in which she had affixed her signatures. The will in question is not valid and genuine but prepared by the plaintiff and her husband. The will was not attested properly. It was not executed by Pattammal under her own will and wish. The contents of the will were not explained to her in the presence of witnesses. Hence, the suit may be dismissed with costs.
3. The following are the averments found in the plaint in TOS No.26 of 2008 :-
3[A] Pattammal is the mother of both the parties. She was in possession of the immovable property, the suit property. She died on 15.07.1997 at her residence. While she was in sound and disposing state of mind, out of love and affection, executed a will in favour of the petitioners on 14.08.1968 bequeathing the schedule property in favour of the plaintiffs. It was duly executed on 14.08.1968 in the presence of witnesses, (1) Ramanujam Naicker s/o Erusappa Naicker at Kayirambedu Village, Kooduvancheri Post, Chengelput District, (2) Kanniappa Naidu, S/o Govindasamy Naidu at Kayirambedu Village, Kooduvancheri Post, Chengelput District and (3) P.Govindasamy Naicker who is the husband of deceased Pattammal. Out of the three witnesses, the father of the plaintiffs already died and the scribe of the will is also no more. The details of witnesses appear at the foot of the will. It is the only last will executed by Pattammal.
It was duly registered at the office of the Sub Registrar of West Madras. The amount of assets which are likely to come into petitioners hands does not exceed in the aggrega
[Valliammal v Palaniammal] Subbas Chandra v Ganga Prasad AIR 1967 SC 878
2010 (6) MLJ 225 [Pongiammal v Dr.S.M.Palaniappan]
AIR 1999 MAD 40 [S.Kaliyammal v K.Palaniammal] 1998 (11) MLJ 127
2010 (5) SCC 770 [Balathandayutham v Ezhilarasan]
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