IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD
LAXMI NARAYANA ALISHETTY, J.
Mogula Komuraiah - Appellant
Versus
Mogula Ailaiah - Respondent
Second Appeal No.20 Of 2025
Decided On : 02-05-2025
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. partition of joint family property (Para 3 , 4 , 8 , 10) |
| 2. trial court findings on ownership claims (Para 7 , 9) |
| 3. argument against trial court findings (Para 12 , 13 , 14) |
| 4. standard of review for second appeals (Para 15 , 16 , 17) |
| 5. dismissal of second appeal (Para 18) |
JUDGMENT :
LAXMI NARAYANA ALISHETTY, J.
This Second Appeal is filed challenging the judgment and decree, dated 17.08.2023, passed by the I Additional District Judge, Karimnagar, in A.S.No.108 of 2019 whereunder and whereby the judgment and decree, dated 11.07.2019, passed by the Principal Junior Civil Judge, Karimnagar, in O.S.No.123 of 2013 was confirmed.
2. The appellant herein is defendant and respondent herein is plaintiff, before the trial Court. For convenience, hereinafter the parties are referred to as they are arrayed in the suit.
3. The brief facts of the case are that plaintiff filed the suit in O.S.No.123 of 2013, seeking partition of the properties. In the plaint, it is averred that the defendant and plaintiff are sons of Late Mogula Ashalu, who constitute a Hindu Joint undivided Family, governed by Mitakshara School; that Schedule ‘A’ property is house bearing H.No.2-99, admeasuring 363 Sq.yards, situated at Valichal Village, Ramadugu Mandal, Karimnagar District and Schedule ‘B’ property is land bearing No.210, situated at Valichal Village, Ramadugu Mandal, to an extent of Ac.0-08 gts, which are in the name of Mogula Ashalu; that the plaintiff and defendant are in joint possession of the suit schedule property and after the death of their father, defendant dismantled the house only to deprive his share from the property; that plaintiff gave complaint to the Grampanchayath and a legal notice dated 14.12.2012 was issued to the defendant to stop construction and defendant issued reply notice dated 26.12.2012 denying all the facts. Therefore, plaintiff filed suit for partition of schedule properties into two equal shares.
4. Defendant filed written statement denying the allegation made in the plaint, however, admitted the relationship that they are brothers; that schedule A property is self acquired property of his father and schedule B property does not belong to their father; that their father gave all the properties to plaintiff and defendant and schedule A property is held for himself with the explicit purpose of giving it to the person who would provide services to him, take care of his well being and his medical expenses. Defendant further averred that as he performed the above duties including funeral to his father, schedule A property belongs to him and plaintiff is not entitled to any share of the same. Hence, prayed to dismiss the suit.
5. On the basis of the above pleadings of both the parties, the trial Court framed the following issues for trial:-
“(1) Whether the plaintiff is entitled for partition and separate possession of half share in the suit schedule properties as prayed for?
(2)) To what relief?”
6. During the course of the Trial, plaintiff got examined as PW.1 and PW2 and Exs.A1 to A4 were marked. On behalf of the defendant, DW.1 and DW.2 were examined and Ex.B1 was marked.
7. After full-fledged trial and upon considering the oral and documentary evidence and the contentions of both the parties, the trial Court decreed the suit, vide judgment and decree dated 11.07.2019.
8. The trial Court categorically observed as hereunder:- “11. With regard to the suit Schedule A property, it is pleaded by the plaintiff that the defendant is residing in the suit schedule A house and after the demise of their father the defendant has dismantled the house. With regard to this averment, the plaintiff has got marked Ex.A2 letter, dt: 10.01.2013 addressed by the Grampanchayath Secretary, Valichal village to the plaintiff herein stating that house No.2- 99 is in the name of Mogula Ailalah and Mogula Komuraiah, i.e., the plaintiff and defendant herein. Ex.A3 is the letter addressed by the plaintiff to the Grampanchayath Secretary to stop the
A second appeal under Section 100 CPC must raise substantial questions of law; factual disputes decided by lower courts are not reconsidered.
A partition deed made in good faith to resolve family disputes is legally binding, and claims of ownership must adhere to existing rights.
The validity of a family partition deed is upheld unless proven otherwise, and the burden of proof lies on the party challenging its authenticity.
Settlement deeds executed by family members must comply with statutory requirements to be valid; valid titles can be conferred despite contested ownership claims.
The existence of a joint family does not suffice to declare property as joint family property without proof of surplus income used for acquisition.
Ancestral property rights cannot be denied based on unilateral claims; co-heirs are entitled to equal shares and must substantiate any exclusive claims with clear evidence.
The court reaffirmed that daughters have equal rights as sons in ancestral properties, emphasizing the applicability of Section 6 of the Hindu Succession Act.
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.