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1945 Supreme(Mad) 275

IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADRAS
Patanjali Sastri, J.
Nemathanpatti M.M. Pl. Annadana Chatram through its managing trustee M.M. Pl. Chokkalingam Chettiar
Versus
P.K.P.R.M. Raman Chettiar and Ors.
Decided On : 12.09.1945

Headnote:

Charity - Property Dedication - Will - [M.M. PL. Annadana Chatram] - [Section 325, Succession Act, Section 333, Succession Act, Section 361, Succession Act, Section 47, Civil P.C., Order 21, Rule 58, Order 21, Rule 63, Section 11, Suits Valuation Act] - The court discussed the legal effect of the facts to establish an appropriation of the property for charitable purpose and the interpretation of the will in devising the property to the charity. The court also analyzed the rights of the creditor against the executor and the distinction between legal and equitable rights in enforcing the claim. The court further considered the bar of the suit under Section 47, Civil P.C. and the jurisdictional issue based on the valuation of the property.

Fact of the Case:

The appellant, as the managing trustee of a charity, sought release of a property from attachment in execution of a decree obtained by the respondent. The dispute revolved around the dedication of the property to a charitable purpose and the interpretation of the will in devising the property to the charity.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that there was no completed dedication of the property to the charity during the lifetime of the testator. However, the property was deemed to be devised under the will to the charity. The court also held that the creditor was entitled to levy execution against the property under the decree obtained.

Issues: The main issue was whether there was a completed dedication of the property to the charitable purpose and the interpretation of the will in devising the property to the charity. Additionally, the court considered the bar of the suit under Section 47, Civil P.C. and the jurisdictional issue based on the valuation of the property.

Ratio Decidendi: The court established that there was no completed dedication of the property to the charity during the testator's lifetime, but the property was devised under the will to the charity. The court also clarified the rights of the creditor against the executor and the distinction between legal and equitable rights in enforcing the claim. Furthermore, the court determined the applicability of Section 47, Civil P.C. and addressed the jurisdictional issue based on the valuation of the property.

Final Decision: The appeal was dismissed, and the appellant was held liable to release the property from attachment in favor of the respondent. The appellant was also directed to bear the costs of the appeal.

JUDGMENT

Patanjali Sastri, J.

1. This appeal arises out of a suit brought by the appellant as the managing trustee of a certain charity known as "M.M. PL. Annadana Chatram" at Nemathanpatti, Bamnad district, for release of a certain land and building from attachment effected in execution of a decree, obtained by respondent 1 (hereinafter referred to as the respondent) against the legal representatives of one M.M. PL. Palaniappa; Chetty. Palaniappa Chetty was carrying on banking and money-lending business in various places in India and Burma with his headquarters at Nemathanpatti. In 1923 the-respondent brought a suit against Palaniappa and others in the DistrictCourt of; Pyapone in Burma for recovery of possession of certain lands and premises with mesne profits. During the pendency of the suit, Palaniappa died in 1925, having made a will dated 2nd June 1925 whereby he bequeathed the bulk of his separate properties-to various charities and appointed his two-sons, Chokbalingam Chetty, the appellant herein, and Kasi Chetty, executors under the will to carry out the directions contained therein. These executors were brought on record as the legal representatives of Palaniappa in the suit. Kasi died subsequently and his widow Alamelu Achi was substituted in his place. After a protracted trial the suit ended in a final decree, dated 16th October 1939, directing the appellant and Alamelu, Achi to pay to the plaintiff, the respondent in the present appeal, a sum of Rs. 83,131-13-0 for mesne profits and costs. This decree was-transferred to the Court of the Subordinate Judge of Devakottai for execution and among other properties the house property now in. question was attached by order of Court dated 81st January 1941. The appellant objected to the attachment of the suit property on the ground that it was "a choultry for poor feeding" having been dedicated by his, father to the said charity. The objection was overruled by order dated 1st April 1941. The appellant then filed a petition on 9tb April 1941 under Order 21, Rule 58, Civil P.C., on behalf of "Nemathanpatti Annadana Chatram" as the managing trustee thereof claiming that the building placed under attachment belonged to the Annadana Chatram charity started by his father, that he was feeding Brahmins and other persons every day in that building and that he had no other right therein except the right of a trustee. He accordingly prayed that the property should be declared to belong to Nemathanpatti M.M. PL. Annadana Chatram and released from the attachment. The claim was rejected by order dated 27th July 1941 and this suit was brought on 20th. November 1941 under Order 21, Rule 63 to establish, the right claimed by the appellant as the managing trustee for and on behalf of the charity to the property attached. The trial Court decreed the claim and raised the attachment, but the lower appellate Court k reversed the decree an dismissed the suit holding, among other things, that no dedication of the suit property to any charitable purpose was made out.

2. The main question for determination in this second appeal accordingly is whether there has been such a completed dedication of the suit building for the charitable purpose of free feeding of the poor that Palaniappa or his representatives could no longer claim property in it. Before considering the question, it will be convenient to state a few facts which form the background and as to which there has been no dispute before us. Palaniappa Chetty became divided from his sons and his brothers sons in 1919 and his first wife, the mother of the appellant, died in Karthigai of the Tamil year Dunmathi corresponding to November-December 1921. On the 16th day of her death, the concluding day of the funeral ceremonies, Palaniappa started in honour of her memory the charity of feeding the poor in an old building belonging to him in his native village Nemathanpatti. No fund, however, was set apart as an endowment for the purpose at the time. In

















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