1911 Supreme(Mad) 354
IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADRAS
Ralph Benson and Sundara Aiyar, JJ.
Peediangadi Cheriyapurayil Cheeria Imbichi Beebi and Ors.
Versus
Puthiyangadi Cheriyapurayil Syed Ali and Ors. and Puthiyangadi Cheriyapurayil Syed Ali Hamida alias Kohyanbi Koya Tangal
Decided On : 17.11.1911
Headnote:
Wakf - Muhammadans of Calicut - The court held that the karar created a limited estate in favor of the donees and that the plaintiffs were entitled to division of the properties allotted to their mother and her brothers, rejecting contentions of family custom and Marumakkatayam law.
Fact of the Case:
The plaintiffs, Muhammadans of Calicut, sought to recover a half share of certain properties and past/future profits. The properties were declared as wakf by a deceased ancestor and managed as wakf property by the senior male member. The plaintiffs claimed entitlement to division of the properties allotted to their mother and her brothers.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the karar created a limited estate in favor of the donees, rejecting contentions of family custom and Marumakkatayam law. It held that the plaintiffs were entitled to division of the properties and profits for three years prior to the suit and future profits till delivery of possession.
Issues: The issues involved the entitlement of the plaintiffs to division of the properties allotted to their mother and her brothers, considering contentions of family custom and Marumakkatayam law.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the karar created a limited estate in favor of the donees, entitling the plaintiffs to division of the properties. It rejected contentions of family custom and Marumakkatayam law, affirming the entitlement to profits for three years prior to the suit and future profits till delivery of possession.
Final Decision: The court declared the plaintiffs entitled to a half share of the properties as claimed and the profits of the properties for three years prior to the suit and future profits till delivery of possession. The appeals were remanded to the lower Appellate Court for further proceedings.
1. The parties to this suit are Muhammadans of Calicut. The plaintiffs claim is to recover a half share of certain claim is to recover a half shar of certain properties together with past profits for a period of 10 years prior to the suit and future profit till delivery. By a karar between the members of the family. Exhibit I, dated the 3rd September, 1893, it was declared that all the propetties comprised in it were dedicated as wakf by a deceased ancestor and managed as wakf property by the senior male member for the time being, the surplus income after defraying the expenses of the members of the wakfs family. The manner in which the administration of the property was carried on and the surplus and dissensions in the family and the object of the karar is stated to be to frame a scheme which would put an end to quarrels amount the members in the future, The karar is stated to be to frame a scheme which would put an end to quarrels amount the members in the future, The karar recites that the properties were indivisible, which they, of course, were as wakf. It then sets outt thte made agreed on for the future management of the properties. Briefly, what was done was this. Nine items were set apart for the probable expenses of the wakf, and it was declared that the senior made member for the time being should manage them and carry out the trust. The remaining properties were allotted to the members of the different branches of the family which they were to hold and enjoy without alienating them, the object of the stipulation against alienation being, no doubt, to prevent infringement of the rules of Mahammadan Law applicable to wakfs. Each branch was given the right to lease out the properties allotted to it and to enjoy it in any manner it pleased. There can be no doubt, and indeed it is not denied, that the karar creates a limited estate in favour of the donees to whom the allotments were made. The properties of which the plaintiffs claim a share were allotted to three parsons consisting of the plaintiffs mother and two of ther brothers. The allotment was made for the benefit of the donees and there issue.
2. One of the brothers and the plaintiffs mother are dead. The question raised for decision in the suit is whether the plaintiffs are entitled to ask for a division of the properties allotted tot their mother and her brothers. The parties are admittedly governed by the Mnhammadan Law of inheritance; but the first defendant contends that, though that is so, there is a custom in the family of the parties according to which the original family property as distinguished from the acquisition of individual members is lo be held as indivisible properly. It is not easy to understand this allegation. It does not appear that there are any so-called family properties apart from the wakf estate. There is no definite statement, by the first defendant to what property the custom of indivisibility attaches. It is contended that the recital in Exhibit I supports this vague allegation but the custom of indivisibility in the karar relates only to the wakf property. Exhibit I does not refer to any other property as being indivisible. WG must, therefore, overrule the contention that there is any family custom by which the plaintiffs claim for division can be resisted.
3. It is then urged that the plaintiffs mother and her brothers are treated by the karar as a tnvazhi, and that it was intended that the custom of indivisibility, which applies under the Marumakkatayam Law, should apply to the property allotted to the donees. But there can be no doubt that the word was loosely used to denote a branch of the family, as is often the case in Malabar in documents executed between parties who are not governed by the Marumakkatayam law. It is not suggested that the Marumakkatayam rules are applicable to this property. The karar does not vest the management in a single member of the donees of the branch as one would expect if it was intended to dec