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Judgment
The legal representatives of one Muniappa Nadar (1st appellant), who figured as the plaintiff in O.S. 226 of 1975, District Munsif''s Court,
Madurai Taluk, are appellants 2 to 6 in this second appeal. In that suit, Muniappa Nadar prayed for the relief of declaration of his exclusive title to
the properties set out in he plaint therein and for an injunction restraining the respondents in this second appeal from interfering with his possession
and enjoyment of the suit properties.
The second respondent in this second appeal, Mayakaruppa Nadar, was the father of Muniappa Nadar (1st appellant), while the 1st
respondent was related to him as aunt''s son, being the son of one Thenammal, a sister of Mayakaruppa. According to the case of Muniappa, his
father, Mayakaruppa and himself constituted members of a joint Hindu family, which owned the properties scheduled in O.S. 226 of 1975 as well
as others. Mayakaruppa allowed Muniappa to be in possession and enjoyment of all the properties in O.S. 226 of 1975, as he became old and
weak. While so, according. To Muniappa, Mayakaruppa executed on 8-4-1973 a document styled as a settlement deed, in his favour out of love
and affection relinquishing his interest in the suit properties, as a result of which, Muniappa claimed that he became exclusively entitled to the suit
properties as full owner. It was also the further case of Muniappa that the first respondent herein induced Mayakaruppa to execute a settlement
deed on 5-2-1976 in his favour with reference to one item of family properties, which was characterised by Muniappa as a fraudulent document.
With reference to this settlement deed, Muniappa issued a notice on 24-2-1975, to which the 2nd respondent sent a reply containing false
allegations. The further case of Muniappa was that the 1st respondent was attempting to unlawfully interfere with his possession and enjoyment of
the suit properties on the strength of the settlement deed executed by Mayakaruppa in favour of the 1st respondent. Claiming that he had raised
raghi crops and that a police complaint preferred against the l st respondent herein for attempted interference with the possession and enjoyment of
the properties was of no avail, and stating that the first respondent was an influential Government servant and was n in attempting to trespass into
the suit properties in denial of the title of Muniappa, the suit in O.S. 226 of 1975 was instituted by Muniappa praying for the reliefs set out earlier.
In the written statement filed by the respondents herein, they disputed the claim of Muniappa, that Mayakaruppa and Muniappa constituted
members of an undivided Hindu family. According to them, in December 1973, there was an oral partition between Mayakaruppa and his son
Muniappa, in which Muniappa was allotted a half share in the family properties, including the properties in O.S. 226 of 1975, and the other half
was allotted to the share of Mayakaruppa. The relinquishment of the interest of Mayakaruppa on 8-4-1973, in favour of Munippa was denied.
That document was characterised as a forged, fabricated and concocted one, having been brought into existence utilising certain blank papers
containing the signature of Mayakaruppa obtained on the pretext of securing agricultural loan. That document was also stated to be void,
inoperative and invalid. The further case of the respondents was that sometime in December, 1973, the relationship between Muniappa and
Mayakaruppa was not cordial and this led to the partition and subsequently, Mayakaruppa was obliged to leave his son Muniappa and settle with
the first respondent herein, who was none other than his sister''s son and that till such time, Muniappa was looking after Mayakaruppa''s properties
as well and Mayakaruppa received the income there from. Stating that Muniappa did not have exclusive right to the suit properties, the
respondents pleaded that Mayakaruppa was attached to his sister Thenammal and had been entertaining a desire to settle his properties in her
favour-, but as she died, on 5-2-1975, Mayakaruppa executed a settlement deed in favour of the 1st respondent herein with reference to the
properties obtained by him in the partition in December, 1973, as well as the other properties. That settlement by Mayakaruppa in favour of the
first respondent herein was claimed to be a voluntary and genuine transaction and that on account of this, Muniappa attempted to interfere with the
properties settled on the first respondent by Mayakaruppa, which led to the lodging of a police complaint by the 1st respondent herein. The
attempted interference with the possession and enjoyment of the properties by the first respondent was denied. The exclusive title put forth by
Muniappa to the suit properties was also disputed. Claiming that the settlement deed executed by Mayakaruppa in favour of the lst respondent
herein could not be questioned by Muniappa, the respondents contended that Muniappa was not entitled to any of the reliefs prayed for in the suit.
It is necessary at this stage to refer to the institution of the another suit in O.S. 91 of 1976 District Munsif''s Court, Madurai taluk, by
Mayakaruppa and the 1st respondent herein. That suit related to one item of property of an extent of 2 acres and 12 cents in S. No. 147/2 in
Thenur village. On the basis of the settlement deed executed by Mayakaruppa in favour of the 1st respondent herein on 5-2-1975, the
respondents sought a declaration that that property belonged to the second respondent, or to the lst respondent herein and for recovery of
possession from Muniappa and another Irulappa, to whom Muniappa sold the property on 4-7-1973. That sale was also attacked as a fraudulent
one and not for purposes of necessity. Muniappa and the alienee from him, who figured as defendants in O.S. 91 of 1976, resisted that suit
contending that owing to pressure of creditors, it was decided that that property should be sold for payment of debts and Mayakaruppa agreed to
receive 12 bags of paddy per year for his maintenance and further agreed for the sale of the property and pursuant to that, Muniappa, executed a
sale in favour of Irulappa, the 2nd defendant in O.S. 91 of 1976 and, therefore, the sale could not be challenged by Mayakaruppa and the 1st
respondent herein. Besides, the settlement deed dated 5-2-1975 under which the first respondent herein claimed title was stated to be vitiated by
undue influence, coercion and fraud. The oral partition stated to have taken place between Mayakaruppa and Muniappa in December, 1973, was
also disputed.
By orders passed in I.A. 309 of 1977 the suits 0. S. 226 of 1975 and 91 of 1976 were tried together as common questions of fact arose for
decision in the suits. On a consideration of the oral as well as the documentary evidence, by judgment dated 29-4-1977, the learned District
Munsif of Madurai taluk, found that the settlement deed dated 8-4-1973, under which Muniappa claimed exclusive title to the properties in O.S.
226 of 1975 was not true, valid and binding, that there was an oral partition between Mayakaruppa and Muniappa, that the settlement deed
executed by Mayakaruppa in favour of his sister''s son, the first respondent herein, is true, valid and binding, that the sale deed executed by
Muniappa in favour of Irulappa is not valid and, therefore, Muniappa was not entitled to the relief of declaration and injunction prayed for by him;
but that the first respondent herein is entitled to recover possession of one item of property forming the subject-matter of O.S. 91 of 1976 from
Muniappa and Irulappa Pillai. On these conclusions O.S. 226 of 1975 was dismissed, whileO.S.91 of 1976wasdecreed. Aggrieved by this,
Muniappa preferred A.S. 443 of 1977 against the dismissal of his suit in O.S. 226 of 1975 and A.S. 375 of 1977 against the decree granted in
G.S. 91 of 1976. By a common judgment, dated 13-12-1978, the learned Subordinate Judge, Madurai, on a consideration of the evidence, found
that the oral partition between Mayakaruppa and Muniappa was not true and, therefore, Mayakaruppa could not have validly executed the
settlement deed on 5-2-1975, with reference to one item of property in favour of the lst respondent herein that the settlement deed dated 8-4-
1973 stated to have been executed by Mayakaruppa in favour of Muniappa was an invalid and inoperative document and would not convey any
title to the properties dealt with thereunder in favour of Muniappa, that the arrangement with the creditors for the sale of the property was not true
and that therefore Irulappa did not derive any interest to the suit property sold to him under Ex. A-61 sale deed. In view of these conclusions the
learned Subordinate Judge dismissed A.S. 443 of 1977 and allowed A.S. 375 of 1977. In so far as the dismissal of the suit O.S. 91 of 1976, is
concerned, that had become final, as no second appeal had been preferred either by Mayakaruppa or by the first respondent herein. It is the
correctness of the judgment in A.S. 443 of 1977 that is questioned in this second appeal.
During the pendency of the second appeal, Mayakaruppa died and Muniappa as well as the 1st respondent herein put forth rival claims to be
recorded as the legal representative of deceased Mayakaruppa. Muniappa filed C.M.P. 2277 of 1980 for recording him as the legal representative
of the deceased Mayakaruppa, while, the 1st respondent herein filed C.M.P. No. 5983 of 1980 praying that he should be recorded as the legal
representative of the deceased Mayakaruppa on the strength of the Will dated 10- 1- 1979 stated to have been executed by Mayakaruppa in his
favour. By order dated 19-9-1980 the learned District Munsif, Madurai taluk was directed to enquire into the rival claims so made and submit a
report. Accordingly, an enquiry was held, during which certain documents were marked as Exs. B-10 to B-14 and some witnesses were also
examined. By order dated 10-11-1980, the learned District Munsif concluded that the 1st respondent would be the legal representative of the
deceased Mayakaruppa. Accepting this report~ for the purposes of the further proceedings in the second appeal, on 1-12-1980, the 1st
respondent herein was recorded as the legal representative of Mayakaruppa, and C.M.P. 2277 of 1980 f fled by Muniappa was dismissed, while
C.M.P. 5983 of 1980 filed by the first respondent was ordered.
While matters stood thus Muniappa himself died and by, order dated 26-8-1986 in C. M. P. 11875 of 1985, appellants 2 to 6 were brought on
record as his legal representatives.
It is necessary at this stage to refer to the institution of O.S. 369 of 1979, Sub-Court, Madurai, by Mayakaruppa on 22-3-1979, a plaint copy
in which has been marked as Ex. B-13. In, -that plaint, Mayakaruppa accepted the findings and the adjudication in A.S. 443 of 1977 and A.S.
375 of 1977, and prayed for partition and separate possession of a half share in the properties, detail d in the schedule thereunder, which include
the properties torming the subject-matter of this second appeal as well as A.S. 375 of 1977 and some other properties. To this suit, Mayakaruppa
impleaded his son Muniappa and the alienees Irulappa Pillai and Ganapathia Pillai, as defendants 1 to 3. The plaint, after referring to the
proceedings in 0. S. 226 of 1975 and O. S. 91 of 1976 as well as A.S. 443 and 375 of 1977, respectively proceeded to refer to a Will dated 10-
1- 1979, executed by Mayakaruppa in favour of the first respondent herein in respect of a half share in, the suit properties and stated that
Mayakaruppa was entitled to a half share in the suit properties, as the alienations in favour of defendants 2 and 3 in that suit were not for legal
necessity or for the discharge of family debts. After the death of Mayakaruppa, the 1 st respondent herein got himself impleaded as the second
plaintiff in that suit. Similarly, after the death of Muniappa, his legal representatives were brought on record as supplemental defendants in that suit.
Finally, on 3-8-1983, that suit was dismissed for default and the 1st respondent herein applied in I.A. 607 of 1983 for a restoration of that suit and
that application was also dismissed on 6-8-1986. This is clear from the certified copy of the order in I.A. 607 of 1983 in O.S.''369 of 1979
produced by the learned counsel for the appellants.
In support of this second appeal, learned counsel for the appellants first contended that in the events that have happened and on the findings of
the Courts below, the appellant would be entitled to the reliefs of declaration and injunction with reference to the properties involved in O.S. 226
of 1975. Referring to the order passed in C.M.P. 5083 of 1980 by which the first respondent herein came to be recorded as the legal
representative of deceased Mayakaruppa, learned counsel pointed out that cannot clothe the first, respondent with any right in the properties as
such, as the adjudication was a summary and limited one for the purpose of carrying on the suit and cannot have the effect of conferring right to the
properties on the first respondent. Reliance in this connection-was placed by the learned counsel upon the decisions in Daulatram v. Mt. Meera,
AIR 1941 Lah 142, Krishnakumar Vs. N. Goverdhana Naidu and Another, , Suraj Mani and Another Vs. Kishori Lal, and Mohinder Kaur and
Another Vs. Piara Singh and Others, . On the other hand, learned counsel for the first respondent submitted that on the recording of the first
respondent as the legal representative of the deceased 2nd respondent by order passed in C.M.P. 5983 of 1980, the 1st respondent became a
co-owner with the deceased Muniappa and therefore his legal representative cannot be heard to seek relief of declaration or injunction against a
co-owner Eke the 1st respondent.
In order to appreciate the contentions so raised it would be necessary to briefly advert to the effect of the findings recorded by the lower
appellate Court. The division stated to have taken place between Mayakaruppa and Muniappa in Dec., 1973 was not accepted. That would mean
that Muniappa and his father Mayakaruppa continued to remain as members of a joint Hindu family. Indeed, this was also the stand taken by
Mayakaruppa himself in the course of the suit in O.S. 369 of 1979 Sub-Court Madurai, referred to already. The settlement deeds under which
Muniappa as well as the 1st respondent therein claimed title to the properties dealt with thereunder had been declared to be of no effect.
Therefore, neither Muniappa nor the lst respondent could claim any right to the properties, on the strength of Ex. A-I dated 8-4-1979, or Ex. B-8
dated 5-21-975. Muniappa admittedly was in possession of the suit properties in O.S. 226 of .1975. Likewise, he was also in possession of the
properties forming the subject-matter of the suit O.S. 91 of 1976, in which the relief of recovery of possession of the property was prayed for as
against Muniappa. That Muniappa was in possession of the properties, was also not seriously disputed by the counsel for the 1st respondent.
While Muniappa was in possession of the properties as a member of the family, the lst respondent cannot lay any such claim. The settlement deed
in favour of the 1st respondent under Ex. B-8 having been held not to clothe him with any right to the properties dealt, with thereunder, his right, if f
any, could only he o h the basis 6 f the will, Ex. B-12, stated to have been executed by Mayakaruppa in his favour on 10- 1- 1979. No doubt,
with reference to that will, there was an enquiry directed by this Court to ascertain who among the rival claimants could be recorded as the legal
representative of ceased Mayakaruppa. However, that enquiry and adjudication was under O. XXII, R. 5. C.P.C. and was only for the limited
purpose of enabling the legal representative to carry on the suit so that the adjudication may be binding on the estate and cannot have the effect of
conferring rights on the properties in favour of the legatee under the will and in terms of the will. The enquiry under O. XXILR. 5, C.P.C. though
held after examination of witnesses is nevertheless summary in character and is not an appealable order. Further, the question whether a person
can be permitted to be brought on record as the legal representative of a deceased person for the purpose of continuing the proceedings already
begun is a matter collateral to the suit and any adjudication arrived at in the course of such an enquiry cannot operate as res judicata. In Pakkran v.
Pathumma, (1913) 25 MU 279, it has been-held that the question whether a person should be admitted as the legal representative of the plaintiff to
continue a suit cannot be regarded as a question arising .in the suit itself being only a matter collateral to the suit and any decision arrived at cannot
operate as res judicata, when a question arises in some other suit as to succession to the deceased. In Ram Kalap Vs. Banshi Dhar and Others, ,
the same view has been taken. In Daulatrarn V. Mt. Meero, AIR 1941 Lah 142, points out that an order passed under O. XXII, R. 5, C.P.C. not
being open to an appeal, if it were to be treated as finally determining the rights of any of the claimants to the property in I suit would adversely
affect the interest of a disappointed claimant and, therefore, it should be limited to the purpose of carrying on the suit and cannot have the effect of
conferring any right to heirship or to property. Natarajan J. in Krishnakumar Vs. N. Goverdhana Naidu and Another, examining the nature and
scope of the enquiry under 0. XXII, R. 5, C.P.C., pointed out that though under O. XXII, R. 5, C.P.C. a duty is cast on the Court to determine
who the legal representative of a deceased party is, there need not be a comprehensive and exhaustive enquiry for the simple reason that the
decision has its inherent limitations and the recognition of a rival contender as the legal representative of the deceased party is only for facilitating
the early disposal of the action and the recognition of such a right in a party to a proceeding will not confer right on the recognized representative in
the estate or property of the deceased nor will such a finding operate as res judicata in a subsequent proceeding. The absence of the provision of
an appeal from an order passed under O. XXII, R. 5, C.P.C., was also relied upon to support the conclusion that the order cannot be
characterised as one finally decided by a Court. To the similar effect is the decision in Koneridoss Vs. N. Subbiah Naidu and Others, . In Suraj
Mani and Another Vs. Kishori Lal, , the order bringing on record a person on the strength of a will was challenged on the ground that a trespasser
had been brought on record. While considering this objection, R. S. Pathak C.J. pointed out that the substitution of a deceased person by his legal
representative does not make such legal representative heir to the property of the deceased and a finding given only for the purpose of further
prosecution of the suit cannot be construed as a decision on merits, which can operate as res; judicata. A Full Bench of the High Court of Punjab
and Haryana has laid down in Mohinder Kaur and Another Vs. Piara Singh and Others, , that a decision under O. XXII, R. 5, C.P.C. is intended
only to facilitate the orderly conduct of a proceeding and to avoid delay in the final decision till persons claiming to be representatives of the
deceased party get the question of succession settled through a different suit and such a decision does not put an end to the litigation, nor would it
determine any of the issues in controversy. It was also further pointed out that the proceedings are of a very summary nature and the grant of an
opportunity to lead some sort of evidence would not in any manner change the nature of the proceedings. Viewed in the light of the aforesaid
principle, it follows that the recording of the 1st respondent as the legal representative of the deceased Mayakaruppa, the 2nd respondent in the
second appeal was only for the purpose of enabling the further conduct of the second appeal representing the estate of deceased Mayakaruppa
and that cannot however be construed as conferring any right to property on the 1st respondent, as what was considered and decided in the
course of the enquiry under O. XXII, R. 5, C.P.C. was only the representative capacity of the lst respondent and not his rights to the property. It
is thus clear that the adjudication on the basis of which C.MT.P. 5983 of 1980 was ordered cannot be pressed into service by the 1st respondent
to contend that he is a co-owner along with the appellant and, therefore, no declaration or injunction can be granted in favour of the appellants. As
pointed out earlier, deceased Muniappa was in possession of the suit properties not only as the owner of an undivided half share in the suit
properties, but also as a member of the family to which the properties belonged. The 1st respondent herein was a stranger to the family, though he
was related to Mayakaruppa as his sister''s son. Nevertheless, the lst respondent cannot claim to be a co-owner of the properties in question till
such time as he establishes his rights under law independently. The contention of the learned counsel for the appellants that on the findings, the relief
of declaration and injunction should have been granted, is well founded and has to be accepted.
Learned counsel for the appellants, next contended that by reason of the decision in A.S. 375 of 1977 having become final, in so far as the I st
respondent is concerned, he is precluded from putting forth any right whatever to the suit properties by the principle of res judicata. Reference in
this connection was made to certain decisions as well. On the other hand learned counsel for the 1st respondent submitted that the two suits related
to different items of properties dealt with under two different documents and, therefore, there is no question of the applicability of the principle of
res judicata at all.
The lst respondent claimed title to the only item of property forming the subject-matter of O.S. 91 of 1976 on the basis of a prior oral partition
in the family between Mayakaruppa and Muniappa and allotment to Mayakaruppa, and the settlement of that property by Mayakaruppa in his
favour under Ex. B-8 dated 5-2-1975. While considering such a claim, the Court below concluded that the case of partition set up had not been
made out. It would mean that the properties continued to belong to the undivided family of Mayakaruppa and his son Muniappa. The effect of that
finding is that Mayakaruppa and Muniappa continued to be members of a joint family; which owned the properties forming the subject-matter of
O.S. 226 of 1975 and O.S. 91 of 1976. To that extent, the 1st respondent would be precluded by the principle of res judicata from contending
that there was no joint family consisting of Mayakaruppa and his son Muniappa or that the joint family did not own the properties froming the
subject matter of O.S. 226 of 1975 and O.S. 91 of 1976.
Lastly, the learned counsel for the appellants submitted that the lst respondent is a stranger to the family of Mayakaruppa, though he may be
related as the sister''s son of Mayakaruppa and, that his remedy to work out his rights, if any, would only be by way of a suit for partition on the
strength of the will Ex. B-12 dated 10-1-1979, stated to have been executed by Mayakaruppa in his favour. Reference in this connection was
made to decided cases, where the remedies available to the purchaser of an undivided share of the family properties have been indicated. Though
learned counsel for the 1st respondent made an attempt to dispute this, the position in law appears to be well settled. As matters stand now, even
Mayakaruppa had accepted that he was entitled only to an undivided half share in the properties forming the subject matter of O.S. 226 of 1975,
in his plaint in O.S. 369 of 1979 Sub-Court, Madurai, Ex. B-13. No doubt, even in that plaint Ex. B-13, he had referred to the execution of a will
dated 10-1-1.979 in favour of the 1st respondent herein. However, on the strength of that will stated to have been executed by Mayakaruppa in
favour of the I st respondent herein, he cannot now claim or assert right to the half share in the properties stated to have been bequeathed under
the terms of the will. Despite the adjudication for the purpose of O. XXII, R. 5, C.P.C., on the basis of the will, Ex. B-12, the 1st respondent has
to work out his rights. Presumably, with a view to do so, the 1st respondent had also come on record as the 2nd plaintiff in O.S. 369 of
1977(79?), Sub-Court, Madurai, though that suit was subsequently allowed to be dismissed for default and the application for restoration of that
suit was also dismissed. In that situation, the 1st respondent cannot merely on the strength of the will Ex. B-12 claim that he is entitle-d to any of
the properties forming the subject matter of O.S. 226 of 1975, and attempt to interfere with the admitted possession and enjoyment of those
properties by Muniappa and after his death by his heirs. There is no dispute that the appellants would be entitled to a half share in the properties
forming the subject matter of the suit. That this is so had been accepted even by Mayakaruppa and the lst respondent cannot in any manner dispute
this, if at all, the 1st respondent can raise some dispute only regarding the other half share of Mayakaruppa with reference to which he had
impleaded himself as the second plaintiff in O.S. 369 of 1979, Sub-Court, Madurai; which was also later dismissed for default. Therefore, the
position as it obtain is today is that the appellants are entitled to the suit properties and are in possession of the entirety of the suit properties, Their
possession and enjoyment of the same cannot be interfered with by the 1st respondent till such time, as he establishes his rights, if any, to the suit
properties on the basis of the will dated 10-1-1979, stated to have been executed by Mayakaruppa in his favour. As pointed out already, even
that attempt had failed by the dismissal of O.S. 369 of 1979 Sub-Court, Madurai, on 3-8-1983 and the dismissal of I.A. 607 of 1983 for
restoration of the suit on 6-8-1983. Under those circumstances, the appellants would be entitled to a declaration of their right to the suit properties
as well as an injunction restraining the lst respondent from interfering with their possession and enjoyment of the same, subject to the lst respondent
establishing his rights, if any, to one half of the suit properties. Consequently, the judgment and decree of the Court below are set aside and the
second appeal is allowed and there will be a decree in O.S. 226 of 1975 for declaration and injunction with costs throughout on the lines indicated
earlier.
Appeal allowed.