J U D G M E N T

The respondents 1 to 3 are the plaintiffs. They have filed a suit in O.S.No.50 of 1997 before the Subordinate Judge, Devakottai, Sivagangai District, against the appellants and respondents 4 to 6, for declaring that the plaintiffs 1 to 3 are the legal heirs of Late Sri.R.M.Chidambaram Chettiar and entitled to receive all the terminal benefits from the first defendant Bank and for a mandatory injunction to pay all the terminal benefits or in the alternatives directing the defendants 1 to 4 jointly and severally to pay the plaintiffs all the aforesaid terminal benefits.

2. The trial Court, after trial, decreed the suit by judgment and decree dated 27.10.2000, directing the defendants 1, 3 to 7 to pay 3/5th share of the plaintiffs in the amount paid under Exs.B13 to B16 along with 6% interest from the date of plaint till payment. Challenging the said judgment and decree, the defendants 1, 5 and 6 as appellants have filed the present appeal.

3(i). The brief facts of the amended plaint are as follows:

The first plaintiff is the wife of Late Sri R.M.Chidambaram Chettiar, Devakottai and the second and third plaintiffs are the daughter and son. The said Chidambaram was working