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2009 Supreme(Online)(Ker) 20580

KERALA HIGH COURT
, J
Princelal C. v. G. Prasanna Kumari and Others
CMA No. 170/97 | CMA No. 224/97



The court clarified that a joint will remains revocable by a surviving testator unless explicitly stated otherwise, thereby affecting the validity of subsequent wills executed without mutual consent.

Headnote:(A) Evidence Act - Section 68 - Testamentary capacity - Joint will vs. Mutual will - The court rebuffed the lower appellate court's assertion that the joint will became irrevocable upon the death of one testator, declaring that the surviving testator retains authority to revoke; thus invalidating subsequent wills and deeds executed without due capacity. (Paras 1, 2, 11, 18, 20)

(B) Partition Suit - Rights of heirs - The plaintiff sought a partition of property based on a joint will that assigned shares among heirs, which was challenged following the subsequent unilateral actions of the surviving testator. (Paras 2, 12)

Facts of the case:
The plaintiff contended that a previous will (Ext. A1) executed by the testators, bequeathing their property, remained valid despite later documents (Exts. A2 to A4) allegedly executed by the surviving testator. The plaintiff claimed those documents lacked testamentary capacity and were the result of undue influence (Paras 2, 19).

Findings of Court:
The court found that the surviving testator had the right to execute documents concerning the property, specifically the original will which was admitted by all parties; however, the validity of subsequent documents needed independent evaluation (Paras 18, 20).

Issues: Whether the surviving testator had the capacity to annul the original joint will and the proper execution of subsequent documents in light of alleged undue influence.

Ratio Decidendi: The court determined that the lower appellate court erroneously concluded the original will's irrevocability and failed to recognize the surviving testator's rights to revoke it; thus emphasizing the need for clear testamentary capacity and proof of execution.

Result: Appeals partially allowed; remand upheld to assess challenges to the subsequent documents.

Table of Content
1. nature of property acquisition and joint will. (Para 1 , 2)
2. defendants' assertions about property and will maintainability. (Para 3 , 4)
3. trial court verdict details and appeals. (Para 6 , 8 , 10)
4. substantial questions of law arising from the appeal. (Para 12 , 13 , 14)
5. nature of the joint will and revocation rights. (Para 15 , 16 , 17)
6. validity of later documents in light of original will. (Para 18 , 19)
7. final conclusions on appeal and directions to trial court. (Para 20)

1. The common appellant in these appeals filed under O.XLIII R.1(u) C PC is the 3rd defendant in OS No. 393 of 1989 on the file of the Munsiff's ourt, Kollam. The said suit as originally filed was one for a declaration that Ext. A1 Will dated 14/02/1985 continues to be in force and that the plaintiff has half right over the plaint B and schedule properties and for setting aside Ext. A2 Will dated 29/01/1988, Ext. A3 sale deed dated 29/01/1988 and Ext. A4 settlement deed dated 26/09/1988 executed by the plaintiff's mother. The suit was subsequently amended as one for partition and separate possession of the plaintiffs one fifth share over the plaint A schedule Property.

2. THE PLAINTIFF'S C ASE
The case of the plaintiff can be summarised as follows:
Defendants 1 to 4 are the brothers and sisters of the plaintiff. The plaintiff and defendants 1 to 4 are the children of one Gopalan Vaidyan and his wife Sarasamma. The 5th defendant is the husband of the 4th defendant. The Plaint B and Schedule buildings are portions of the plaint A Schedule Property. The plaint A Schedule Property was purchased by Gopalan Vaidyan utilising his own funds in the joint names of the said Gopalan Vaidyan and his wife Sarasamma as per Ext. B1 sale deed dated 24/09/1124 ME corresponding to the year 1949. The building therein was also constructed by Gopalan Vaidyan with his own funds. During the life time of Gopalan Vaidyan and Sarasamma they executed the original of Ext. A1 Will deed dated 14/02/1985 bequeathing the plaint A Schedule Property in favour of their children namely the plaintiff and defendants 1 to 4. Sarasamma, the wife was given the right to enjoy the property during her life time. After the death of Gopalan Vaidyan in the year 1986, Sarasamma was in great mental agony. She was also having several ailments due to old age. She was mentally and physically weak and was fully bedridden. She did not have the mental capacity to look after herself. Finally she died on 06/12/1988 while undergoing treatment at the Nairs Hospital. After the death of Sarasamma, the plaintiff was enjoying the terrace portion of 1st floor of the building in the plaint schedule property in accordance with the prescriptions under Ext. A1 Will. Recently the 4th defendant claimed the entire building as his own. On inquiries by the plaintiff it was learnt that certain documents were created cancelling Ext. A1 Will and executing another Will (Ext. A2) purportedly by Sarasamma and Exts. A3 and A4 sale deed and settlement deed also purportedly executed by Sarasamma in favour of defendant 1 to 5. The said documents are invalid and liable to be set aside. Sarasamma did not have the requisite testamentary capacity to execute Exts. A2 to A4. Going by the prescriptions under Ext. A1 Will Sarasamma was incompetent to alter or modify Ext. A1 Will Sarasamma never desired to cancel the Will of her husband. After the death of Gopalan Vaidyan, Sarasamma was fully bedridden and was incapable of understanding the consequence of her own acts. Defendants 4 and 5 were in a position to dominate the will of Sarasamma as they were standing in a fiduciary relationship and were exploiting their close relationship with Sarasamma. Ext. A2 Will is void ab initio and Exts. A2 and A3 documents in favour of defendants 1 and 4 acre also liable to be set aside. The plaintiff is entitled to the declaration prayed for and partition and separate possession of her one fifth share over the plaint A schedule prope





























































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