[2008(4) ADJ 158]
ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT
BEFORE : SHIV CHARAN, J.
JAGDISH SINGH AND OTHERS .........Appellants
Versus
Smt. DHANNA BAI ..........Respondents
(Second Appeal No. 128 of 2008, decided on 15th February, 2008)
Hon’ble Shiv Charan, J.—Heard Sri K.K. Dubey, learned counsel for the appellants and Sri Harish Chandra Mishra on the point of admission of the second appeal for hearing and I have also perused the judgments of the Courts below and other documents filed by the parties. From perusal of the documents shows that the appellants instituted O.S. No. 430 of 1986 for cancellation of the will dated 17.4.1986 executed by Pancham Singh in favour of defendant Smt. Dhanna Bai. It has been alleged in the plaint that plaintiffs are sons and widow of Pancham Singh. That Pancham Singh inherited the property situated at Nandpura and Orchcha. That Pancham is used to visit Jhansi in order to look after the property situated in Jhansi and he engaged the defendant Smt. Dhanna Bai for domestic purposes for cleaning of the house etc. That Pancham Singh was suffering from cancer and he was weak and frail and mentally not sound. He remained hospitalized for treatment. As the defendant was looking after Pancham Singh. Hence taking the absence of appellant she got executed a will in her favour on 17.4.1986 and this will was also registered. But as Pancham Singh was not in fit state of mind and there was no necessity to execute a will in favour of the defendant when there were his legal heirs. Hence this will was fabricated. And on the strength of will she occupied the property of Nandpura, Jhansi. She was not the legally wedded wife of Pancham Singh. Because his wife Smt. Kausa Bai was alive at the time of execution of will. That no marriage took place of the defendant with Pancham Singh after divorce from earlier husband. The defendant contested the suit and filed written statement and denied from the allegations of the plaint. It has been admitted that Pancham Singh was suffering from cancer and he remained hospitalized in Germany hospital Jhansi. Further alleged that relation were strained in between Pancham Singh, his first wife and sons. Hence about 30-35 years earlier Pancham Singh deserted his first wife according to the custom and came in Jhansi to live there. And she married with Pancham Singh according to custom of the community and her name was recorded in the revenue record as the wife of Pancham Singh. It is wrong to allege that she was the domestic servant of Pancham Singh. The cremation was also performed by her. At the time of execution of will plaintiff No. 3 was not alive. The property situated at Jhansi was purchased by Pancham Singh and this property was delivered to the defendant by will. That the will was properly executed. Both the parties produced oral as well as documentary evidence to prove the facts in issue and on the basis of evidence produced by the parties, the trial Court dismissed the suit vide judgment and decree dated 10.10.2000 by the Addl. Civil Judge, (S.D.) Jhansi. Against this judgment and decree of the trial Court C.A. No. 97 of 2000 (Jagdish Singh and another v. Dhanna Bai) was instituted and this appeal was also dismissed with costs vide judgment and decree dated 30.10.2007.
2. It has been argued by learned counsel for the appellants that it is wrong to allege that Smt. Dhanna Bai was legally wedded wife of Pancham Singh. That Smt. Dhanna Bai in her statement stated herself as wife of Sunnu. When she is alleging herself wife of Sunnu then as to how she married with Pancham Singh is not clear. That Annexure-17 is the copy of the statement of Dhanna Bai. It has also been argued that it has not been proved that Dhanna Bai divorced her earlier husband Sunnu. No evidence have also been produced and also have not been proved that Pancham Singh divorced his first wife Smt. Kausa Bai so as to marry with Dhanna Bai. He stated that there are variation and contradiction in the statement of Dhanna Bai and other circumstance regarding the period of marriage with Pancham Singh. That Dhanna Bai is not legally wedded wife and she was only domestic servant. Hence there was no question of executing the will by Pancham Sin
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.