Challenge in this second appeal is made to the judgment and decree dated 26.7.2000, passed in A.S.No.101 of 1997, on the file of the Subordinate Court, Kallakurichi, reversing the judgment and decree dated 31.1.1997, passed in O.S.No.932 of 1990, on the file of the I Additional District Munsif Court, Kallakurichi,

2. Parties are referred to as per their rankings in the trial Court.

3. Suit for partition.

4. The case of the plaintiffs, in brief, is that the plaint schedule properties originally belonged to the joint family consisting of Narayanasami Maniam and his three sons namely, Govindasami, Samidurai and Selvaraj. Selvaraj is the first defendant, Govindasami died about 20 years ago, leaving behind his sons and wife, who are the defendants 2 to 4 and his mother, who is the first plaintiff, as his legal representatives and Samidurai died as a bachelor, leaving his mother, the first plaintiff as his legal representative and Narayanasami Maniam died about 15 years ago. The plaintiffs 2 and 3 are the daughters of Narayanasami Maniam and in the suit properties, Narayanasami Maniam and his three sons are each entitled to 1/4th share and as Govindasami died, his 1/4th share devo