The appellants are the respondents 16 and 17 in A.S.No.119/98 and they are the wife and son of Abdul Samath, respectively, the first defendant in O.S.No.57/96 and the first respondent in A.S.No.119/98, who died pending A.S.No.119/98. The first respondent is the plaintiff in O.S.No.57/96 and the appellant in A.S.No.119/98. The respondents 2 to 15 are purchasers of suit properties from Abdul Samath, the first defendant and his step mother. The suit in O.S.No.57/96 was dismissed after trial and A.S.No.119/98 filed by first respondent/plaintiff was allowed. Against the Judgment and decree, dated 31.3.2006, made in A.S.No.119/98, passed by the learned Principal District Judge, Thanjavur, the present second appeal has been filed.

2. The appellants herein, who have filed this second appeal are the legal representatives of first defendant, Abdul Samath, who were impleaded as respondents 16 and 17 in A.S.No.119 of 1998.

3. For the sake of convenience, the first defendant in the suit, namely, Abdul Samath since deceased is referred to as the first defendant.

4. The case of the first respondent/plaintiff:

(i) She is the wife of Abdul Samath, the first defendant in the suit (since dec