1. A.S.581 of 1987 arises out of Succession O.P.No.57 of 1983 on the file of the Subordinate Judges Court, Nagercoil. Transfer A.S.No.105 of 1992 arises out of O.S.No.18 of 1984 on the file of the same Court. Respondents 6, 8 and 9 in Succession O.P.No.57 of 1983 are the appellants in A.S.No.581 of 1987. They are the appellants in the transfer appeal also. The petitioner and respondents 2 to 4, 7 and 10 to 15 in Succession O.P.No.57 of 1983 are the respondents in A.S.No.581 of 1987, and defendants 2 and 4 to 13 in O.S.No.18 of 1984.

2. We will refer to the parties as per their ranks in the suit in O.S.No.18 of 1984.

3. The suit was filed by one Thangaraj, and Jeyaraj/ the first appellant herein, pending suit, Thangaraj died on 29.1.1984; plaintiffs 3 and 4 were impleaded as L.Rs. of the deceased Thangaraj, as per the order in I.A.No.141 of 1984 before the lower Court; the first defendant died on 20.8.1985; her L.Rs. were brought on record as additional defendants 8 to 13 as per the order dated 10.10.1985 before the lower Court; plaintiffs 1 and 2 and defendants 1 to 5 are respectively the brothers and sisters of one Sunderraj; the seventh defendant/Dr.S.S. Rajan is a cous