IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
G. Chandrasekharan, J.
G.Gowri – Appellant
Versus
N.Rupla – Respondent
S.A.No.776 of 2021 and C.M.P.No.15134 of 2021
Decided On : 09-02-2022
Tamil Nadu Court Fee and Suit Valuation Act 1955 - Section 37(1) - Indian Partnership Act 1932 - Section 59, 69 - Indian Evidence Act, 1872 – Section 33 and 92 – Property – Partition - Challenge is against concurrent judgments in a suit filed by respondent/plaintiff for partition - Case of respondent is that she is close friend of appellant -They started a tailoring mart - They earned more in tailoring mart, and started real estate business and business of construction - Through these businesses, they earned more profit - They decided to purchase a house and jointly purchased a house - That is the suit property in this case - Then, they jointly constructed first floor from the profits of their businesses - They were living jointly in suit property with their children - Appellant without any reason drove respondent from suit property with help of rowdies - Respondent is entitled to 1/2 share in suit property - Therefore, this suit for partition and other reliefs- Whether the plaintiff is entitled to ½ share in the suit property. Para 25.
Finding of the Court: Learned counsel for the appellant submitted that when it is admitted by respondent that they were doing business in partnership, suit for partition cannot be maintained - It is not the case of respondent that appellant and respondent had established a partnership firm and were running a partnership firm - It is her case that they jointly did businesses and suit property was purchased from the profit made from the businesses run by them - It is apposite to refer Section 6 of Indian partnership Act, 1932 trial Court has rightly marked the chief examination of PW2 as Ex.C2 for purpose of contradiction and corroboration - Exhibit A1 prima-facie proves that suit property was purchased by appellant and respondent - It is for the appellant to prove that she had alone contributed to sale consideration - Trial Court rightly shifted burden of proof on the appellant - Both the parties have produced documents that came into existence subsequent to filing of suit - Those documents were not the only source for drawing the conclusion by Courts - This Court has now rejected PW3's evidence with regard to Exhibit A2 sale agreement - In the result, this Court confirms the judgment and decree of learned First Appellate Judge in A.S. confirming judgment and decree of learned I Additional Sub Judge, in O.S. and dismisses this Second Appeal with costs of respondent throughout.
Result: Appeal dismisses.
JUDGMENT :
The challenge is against the concurrent judgments in a suit filed by the respondent/plaintiff for partition.
2. The case of the respondent is that she is the close friend of the appellant. They started a tailoring mart by name of "Rubala Tailors" in 1996, at Koothapakkam, Cuddalore. They earned more in tailoring mart, and started real estate business and the business of construction. Through these businesses, they earned more profit. They decided to purchase a house and jointly purchased a house on 05.11.2009. That is the suit property in this case. Then, they jointly constructed first floor from the profits of their businesses. They were living jointly in the suit property with their children. In January 2011, appellant without any reason drove the respondent from the suit property with the help of rowdies. Respondent is entitled to 1/2 share in the suit property. Therefore, this suit for partition and other reliefs.
3. The appellant filed written statement denying the averments that the suit property was purchased by the respondent and appellant jointly from the profit earned from their business. It is her specific case that she purchased the suit property with her own funds. To avoid income tax, respondent's name was included in the sale deed. Respondent has no means to contribute to the purchase. She was struggling to earn for a livelihood through tailoring business. It is true that appellant and respondent were living in the suit property with their children. Electricity connections in the suit property are in the name of the appellant and respondent. Respondent was paying electricity bill as a friend of the appellant. The building in the suit property was aged 28 years and was damaged. Appellant spent her own money for repairing the building and raising the first floor. Due to some differences of opinion, the respondent is living separately. Appellant also filed an additional written statement claiming that her husband died in a road accident and in M.C.O.P.No.57 of 1999 she was awarded a compensation of Rs.3,80,000/- with subsequent interest. She invested this compensation amount, in addition to her savings, jewels and income from real estate business to purchase the suit property. When she was taking treatment in an hospital on 15.12.2011, the respondent got an agreement and money from her by threat and coercion. The suit is not properly valued and no proper Court fee was paid. The suit is liable to be dismissed.
4. The respondent filed elaborate reply statement reiterating the averments made in the plaint, denying the averments made in the written statement and additional written statement. It is claimed that she had contributed 50% of the amount for purchasing the suit building. There was a compromise during the pendency of the suit and unregistered agreement of sale was entered into between the appellant and respondent on 15.12.2011. As per this agreement the sale price for her share was fixed at Rs. 21,25,000/- and she received an advance amount of Rs.10,00,000/-. Thereafter, the appellant has not come forward to execute the sale deed.
5. On the basis of this pleadings, the trial Court framed the following issues,
ii) Whether the plaintiff is entitled to ½ share in the suit property?
iii) Whether the plaintiff is entitled for the mesne profits?
iv) Whether the plaintiff is entitled for the relief of permanent injunction prayed for?
v) To what relief, if any, the plaintiff is entitled?
6. During the course of trial, PW1 to PW3 were examined and Exhibits A1 to A11 were marked on the side of the respondent/plaintiff. DW1 and DW2 were examined and Exhibits B1 to B25 were marked on the side of the appellant/defendant. That apart Exhibit C1 was also marked.
7. On considering the oral and documentary evidence, the learned Trial Jud
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