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2016 Supreme(Mad) 3337
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
T. RAVINDRAN, J.
P. Ramalingam & Ors. - Appellants
Vs.
K. Subramani & Ors. - Respondents
S.A. No. 148 of 2011 and M.P.No.1 of 2011
Decided On : 26-10-2016
For the Appellants : Mr. S. Siva Shanmugam.
For the Respondents: Mr. R. Ezilarasn.
The central legal point established is that in cases of property partition, it is essential to divide the property by metes and bounds to ensure proper division and resolve disputes.
Headnote:
Partition - Property Dispute - Oral Partition - Metes and Bounds - [Indian Succession Act, 1925 - Section 8, Hindu Succession Act, 1956 - Section 8, Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 - Order 20 Rule 18] - The court discussed the principles of partition under the Indian Succession Act, 1925 and Hindu Succession Act, 1956, and the requirement of dividing the property by metes and bounds. The court's decision was influenced by the need to put an end to the dispute and ensure proper division of the property.
Fact of the Case:
The suit was laid for partition of a property inherited by two daughters. The plaintiffs purchased one daughter's share and sought partition by metes and bounds as the property had not been divided.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the property had not been divided by metes and bounds and that oral partition was not sufficient. It held that the property should be divided to put an end to the dispute and ensure justice.
Issues: The main issue was whether the plaintiffs were entitled to claim partition of the property by metes and bounds.
Ratio Decidendi: The court decided that the property should be divided by metes and bounds to resolve the dispute and ensure proper division as per the legal provisions.
Final Decision: The judgment and decree of the first appellate court were set aside, and the judgment and decree of the trial court were restored. The second appeal was allowed with no costs.
The plaintiffs have come forward with this second appeal impugning the judgment and decree dated 21.06.2010, made in A.S.No.103 of 2009 on the file of the II Additional Subordinate Judge, Salem, reversing the judgment and decree dated 09.02.2009 made in O.S.No.1367 of 2007 on the file of the Principal District Munsif, Salem.
2. The suit has been laid for partition.
3. Shorn of unnecessary details, the case of the plaintiffs is as follows:
The suit property originally belonged to Karuman @ Anai Gounder and he was having two daughters one, Periyammal and the other, Chinnathayee. He died intestate and the suit property was inherited by his above said two daughters. Thus, according to the plaintiffs, the above said two daughters are entitled to equal share in the suit property. The plaintiffs have purchased Periyammal's 1/2 share in the suit property viz., 1.13 1/2 acres and the other half share belongs to her sister Chinnathayee. According to the plaintiffs, the property purchased by them is situated on the western side and it has not been divided from the share of Chinnathayee by metes and bounds equally and as there is no clear demarcation dividing their property and the property of Chinnathayee in the suit survey number, they have been necessitated to file the suit for partition by metes and bounds.
4. The averments contained in the written statement filed by the defendants are briefly stated as follows:
The fact that the plaintiff had purchased the half share of Periyammal in the suit survey number is admitted. The plaintiffs' vendor Periyammal and the first defendant Chinnathayee had orally divided the property amongst themselves and after the oral partition, Periyammal had sold her 1/2 share to the plaintiffs and inasmuch as the oral partition has been effected, there is no need to go for another partition of the suit property again by metes and bounds and hence, according to the defendants, the suit is liable to be dismissed.
5. In support of the plaintiffs' case, PW1 has been examined and Exs.A1 and 2 were marked. On the side of the defendants, DWs1 & 2 have been examined and no document was marked.
6. On a consideration of the oral and documentary evidence adduced by the parties concerned, the trial Court was pleased to decree the suit as prayed for without costs, as against which, the third defendant preferred the first appeal and the first appellate Court was pleased to reverse the judgment and decree of the trial Court and consequently, dismissed the suit of the plaintiffs. The present second appeal has been laid, challenging the Judgment and Decree of the first appellate Court.
7. The Second Appeal was admitted on the following substantial questions of law:
(i). Whether the Lower Appellate Court has considered the oral and documentary evidence in its proper perspective?
(ii). Whether the Lower Appellate Court had erred in not properly construing the plaintiffs/appellants evidence in its proper perspective, when admittedly there was only an oral partition, but in actual the property is enjoyed by both the owners jointly?
8. The short point that arises for consideration in this appeal is whether the plaintiffs are entitled to claim partition of the suit property by metes and bounds as put forth in the plaint. It is not disputed that the suit property equally belonged to Periyammal and Chinnathayee and according to the plaintiffs, they have purchased Periyammal's half share in the suit property and the remaining half share belongs to Chinnathayee. Chinnathayee is the first defendant. According to the plaintiffs, the patta in respect of the property contained in the suit survey, still remains joint and the property has not been divided by metes and bounds demarcating the respective shares, to which, the parties are entitled to and hence, they have been necessitated to file the suit for partition.
9. The defendants have agreed that the plaintiffs have purchased the half share belonging to Periyammal. According to them, the
