JUDGMENT

This appeal arises out of the preliminary decree in a suit for partition. O.S. No.29 of 2010 on the files of the Munsiff Magistrate, Perinthalmanna, was instituted by the 1^st respondent, who is now no more and his legal representatives, impleaded as additional respondents 4 to 8, are prosecuting the case. As per the averments in the plaint, a property, having an extent of 3.55 Acres, was purchased in the name of the plaintiff and the defendants in the year 1984. While so, in the year 1999, the parties attempted to partition the property by executing a registered partition deed No.2514 of 1999. However, the 1^st defendant did not sign the said partition deed, and accordingly, that partition was not effected. Later, the plaintiff filed the present suit, O.S. No.29 of 2010 before the