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1953 DIGILAW 92 (KER)

Subramania Iyer v. Venkitadri Iyer

1953-08-03

KOSHI, M.S.MENON

body1953
Judgment :- 1. This is an appeal from the decree of the learned District Munsiff of Trivandrum in O.S. No. 34 of 1122, a suit for partition, granting the plaintiff a third share in the plaint property together with "mesne profits" from the date of suit at the rate claimed in the plaint. The main contention of the first defendant, the appellant before us, that the plaintiff is entitled only to a "1/4 share" and not a "1/3 share" has been conceded by the learned Advocate for the first defendant and no further question regarding the same arises for consideration. 2. The only question that remain are the appellant's contention that the "mesne profits" awarded by the court below is excessive and the ground raised in the memorandum of objections on behalf of the 1st respondent that the plaintiff is entitled to "mesne profits" from 3.10.1109 as claimed in the plaint. 3. The lower courts fixed the "mesne profits" at Rs. 180/- per year and awarded the plaintiff a third thereof. We do not consider the figure arrived at by the lower court as in any way excessive but in the light of what is stated in paragraph 1 above the plaintiff's share will be a fourth of Rs. 180 and not a third as decreed by the lower court. 4. The period for which the plaintiff will be entitled to get his share of the income will depend upon the nature of his claim and the period of limitation applicable thereto. It was contended on behalf of the appellant that the article applicable is the article of the Travancore Limitation Act corresponding to Art. 109 of the Indian Limitation Act, 1908, which stipulates a period of three years from the date the profits were received. We are unable to agree. This is a case for a share of the profits received by a co-sharer in possession of property in excess of his own share. Such possession is not wrongful, even if exclusive and the liability cannot be considered as one for "mesne profits". As held in IX Cochin 165 it is the residuary article of the Limitation Act which applies to such cases and the plaintiff will hence be entitled to his share of the profits not merely from the date of suit as decreed by the lower court but also for six years prior to that date. As held in IX Cochin 165 it is the residuary article of the Limitation Act which applies to such cases and the plaintiff will hence be entitled to his share of the profits not merely from the date of suit as decreed by the lower court but also for six years prior to that date. This view has also the support of the decision of their Lordships of the Privy Council in Midnapore Zamindari Co. v. Naresh Narain (AIR 1925 PC 93 read with AIR 1924 PC 144). 5. A revised preliminary decree will be drawn up on the above lines. As it is agreed that it will not be possible to divide the plaint item of property by metes and bounds the final decree will be framed and worked out in accordance with the provisions of Partition Act, 1893, as made applicable to Travancore-Cochin by the Part B State (Laws) Act, 1951. 6. The appeal and the memorandum of objections are allowed to the extent indicated above but in the circumstances of the case we shall make no order as to costs.