P. L. v. S. Rao S/o Rangayya VS M. Sumana W/o M. S. R. Prasad
2024-02-12
VENUTHURUMALLI GOPALA KRISHNA RAO
body2024
DigiLaw.ai
JUDGMENT : VENUTHURUMALLI GOPALA KRISHNA RAO, J. 1. The A.S. No. 1924 of 2003 is filed against the Decree and Judgment, dated 21.04.2003, passed in O.S. No. 16 of 1996 on the file of the Principal Senior Civil Judge, Eluru. The Plaintiff-Matta Sumana filed the Suit against the Defendants-Parasa Kasivisweswara Rao and 4 others for claiming the relief of declaration of the plaintiff’s title to the schedule property and for recovery of the possession along with future profits and for costs. The trial Court decreed the Suit. This Appeal is filed by the appellants/Defendants 1 and 2 in the said suit questioning the decree and judgment passed by the trial Court. 2. The A.S. No. 1621 of 2003 is filed against the Decree and Judgment, dated 21.04.2003, passed in O.S. No. 16 of 1996 on the file of the Principal Senior Civil Judge, Eluru. This Appeal is filed by the appellant/fourth Defendant in the said suit i.e. Poosala Lakshmi Venkata Satyanarayana Rao, questioning the decree and judgment passed by the trial Court. Pending the appeal, the appellant/ fourth defendant was died, his legal representatives were brought on record as appellants 2 and 3. 3. The A.S. No. 1938 of 2003 is filed by the plaintiff against the Decree and Judgment, dated 21.04.2003, passed in O.S. No. 16 of 1996 on the file of the Principal Senior Civil Judge, Eluru, for disallowing the costs by the trial Court. 4. All the three appeals are filed against one common judgment dated 21.04.2003 in O.S. No. 16 of 1996 on the file of the Principal Senior Civil Judge, Eluru, all the three appeals were heard together and they are being disposed of by this common judgment. 5. The parties to the above three appeals are referred to as arrayed before the trial Court. 6. The brief averments of the plaint, in O.S. No. 16 of 1996, are as follows: (i) The plaintiff is the sister of first defendant and they are the children of Parasa Ramalingeswara Rao, who died on 13.09.1982. Late Nagabhushanamma is their paternal grand mother, died on 16.04.1984. Second defendant is the wife of first defendant. Defendants 3 and 4 are the alienees of item No. 1 of the plaint schedule property and they are in possession.
Late Nagabhushanamma is their paternal grand mother, died on 16.04.1984. Second defendant is the wife of first defendant. Defendants 3 and 4 are the alienees of item No. 1 of the plaint schedule property and they are in possession. Fifth defendant is the alienee of 250 square yards of site from and out of item No. 2 of the plaint schedule property and he is in possession. The third defendant died pendent lite. Defendants 6 to 8 are the legal heirs of third defendant. (ii) Late Nagabhushanamma during her life time executed a registered will dated 19.10.1983 bequeathing an extent of Ac.11.97 cents and 300 square yards of site and a tiled house therein situated in Chintalapudi to the first defendant. The first defendant used to manage the properties of her paternal grand mother till her death. (iii) Late Nagabhushanamma had love and affection towards the plaintiff and she voluntarily out of her own free will and in sound and disposing state of mind executed a will at Tekkali on 03.04.1984 bequeathing her remaining Ac.5.30 cents of dry land i.e. Ac.2.34 cents in R.S. No. 697/2 and Ac.2.96 cents in R.S. No. 698 to the plaintiff. The said will is her last will. So the plaintiff is enjoying the property in her own right since 1984. Her name was also mutated in the revenue records. (iv) Defendants 1 and 2 collusively with an oblique motive to make wrongful gain to themselves and cause wrongful loss to the plaintiff, trespassed into the schedule land without any right, title or possession, taking advantage of the plaintiff’s absence at Chintalapudi, by that time, the plaintiff was residing with her husband at Hyderabad, the second defendant alienated item No. 1 of the plaint schedule property to the defendants 3 and 4. First defendant also sold 250 square yards of site from and out of item No. 2 of the plaint schedule property to the fifth defendant, on the strength of a will alleged to have been executed by Nagabhushanamma on 09.04.1984 to give a colour of reality to the said alienees. The said will is not true, valid and binding on the plaintiff and it is only a fabricated one.
The said will is not true, valid and binding on the plaintiff and it is only a fabricated one. Under these circumstances, the plaintiff got issued a notice dated 12.12.1995, but the notices of defendants 1 to 3 were returned, defendants 4 and 5 received notices and the defendants 3 and 4 issued reply notice dated 16.12.1995 with false and untenable allegations, therefore, the plaintiff was constrained to file the suit. 7. The Defendants 1 and 2 filed written statement by denying all the averments mentioned in the plaint and further contended as under: (i) The first defendant simply signed on the gift deed as identifying witness, as donor is happened to his sister, believing the representation of his sister that she is donating Ac.0.50 cents of land out of Ac.1.00 cents, which was bequeathed by virtue of the will dated 09.04.1984. So, the first defendant is not aware of the contents of the gift deed and they are also nothing to do with the property of an extent of Ac.1.00 cents out of Ac.2.34 cents in item No. 2 of the plaint schedule property. The plaintiff is well aware of the will dated 09.04.1984 and after lapse of more than 12 years, she approached the Court only with an intention to have wrongful gain of herself and the defendants 1 and 2 are not aware of the notice dated 12.12.1995. So the plaintiff is entitled only for Ac.1.00 cents of land out of item No. 2 of plaint schedule property, out of which she donated Ac.0.50 cents of land. (ii) Plaintiff was given Rs.40,000/- by her parents at the time of her marriage in the year 1965 in addition to the furniture and gold of 24 sovereigns and silver of 65 tulas. Besides the above, the father of the plaintiff gave T.D.R. of value of Rs.42,000/-. Late Nagabhushamma also gave 4 gold bangles of 6 sovereigns to the daughter of the plaintiff. (iii) The defendants 1 and 2 came to know for the first time on 09.04.1984 that there is a will dated 03.04.1984. The said will was cancelled and the said Nagabhushanamma bequeathed the properties to the defendants 1 and 2 and the plaintiff.
Late Nagabhushamma also gave 4 gold bangles of 6 sovereigns to the daughter of the plaintiff. (iii) The defendants 1 and 2 came to know for the first time on 09.04.1984 that there is a will dated 03.04.1984. The said will was cancelled and the said Nagabhushanamma bequeathed the properties to the defendants 1 and 2 and the plaintiff. The said will dated 09.04.1984 is the last will and testament of the said Nagabhushamma and she got executed the said will voluntarily and out of her own free will and in a sound and disposing state of mind. The said Nagabhushanamma clearly made out her intention in the said will dated 09.04.1984 bequeathing Ac.1.00 cents out of Ac.2.34 cents in R.S. No. 697/2 to the plaintiff remaining extent of Ac.1.34 cents to the first defendant and Ac.2.96 cents in R.S. No. 698 to the second defendant, who is the wife of first defendant. Nothing was prevented the plaintiff from obtaining either the signature of the first defendant or second defendant as identifying witness to the alleged will dated 03.04.1984, when the plaintiff is vigilant and diligent in obtaining the signature of the first defendant as identifying witness to the gift deed dated 20.12.1989. Thus as per the terms of the will dated 09.04.1984, the plaintiff has no right, title or interest over the schedule property except an extent of Ac.1.00 cents in item No. 2 of the plaint schedule property. The said will dated 09.04.1984 is the last and final testament of Nagabhushanamma and binding on the plaintiff and prayed the Court to dismiss the suit. 8. The defendants 3 and 4 filed their written statement. The contents of the said written statement are as follows: The third defendant is the bona-fide purchaser of an extent of Ac.2.46 cents and fourth defendant is the bonafide purchaser of an extent of Ac.0.50 cents in R.S. No. 698 of Chintalapudi village under two separate sale deeds dated 01.07.1984 for a valuable consideration of Rs.37,000/- and Rs.7,500/- respectively. Ever since their purchase, they have always been in possession and enjoyment of the said property and prayed the Court to dismiss the suit. 9. Based on the above pleadings, the following issues are settled by the trial Court in O.S. No. 16 of 1996: (i) Whether the will dated 03.04.1984 or 09.04.1984 is true? (ii) To what relief? 10.
Ever since their purchase, they have always been in possession and enjoyment of the said property and prayed the Court to dismiss the suit. 9. Based on the above pleadings, the following issues are settled by the trial Court in O.S. No. 16 of 1996: (i) Whether the will dated 03.04.1984 or 09.04.1984 is true? (ii) To what relief? 10. During the course of trial in the trial Court, on behalf of the Plaintiff, PW1 and PW2 were examined and Ex.A1 to Ex.A11 were marked. On behalf of the Defendants DW1 to DW5 were examined and Ex.B1 to Ex.B9 and Ex.C1 were marked. 11. After completion of the trial and on hearing the arguments of both sides, the trial Court decreed the suit as prayed for vide its judgment, dated 21.04.2003, against which these three appeals are preferred by the defendants 1 and 2 and by fourth defendant in the Suit questioning the Decree and Judgment passed by the trial Court and the plaintiff in the said suit also filed appeal for disallowing the costs in the suit. 12. Heard Sri M.R.S. Srinivas, learned counsel for defendants 1 and 2, Sri Chidambaram, learned senior counsel on behalf of defendant No. 4 and Sri T.Lakshmi Narayana, learned counsel for plaintiff. 13. The learned Counsel for the Appellants/defendants 1 and 2 in A.S. No. 1924 of 2003 would contend that the trial Court wrongly held in holding that the will dated 03.04.1984 is proved in accordance with law. He would further contend that the trial Court wrongly came to conclusion in holding that Ex.B1 will dated 09.04.1984 is not proved in accordance with law. He would further contend that the trial Court instead of dismissing the suit came to wrong conclusion and decreed the suit. 14. The learned counsel for appellant/defendant No. 4 in AS.1621 of 2003 would contend that the appellant is a bona-fide purchaser for a valuable sale consideration from the second defendant. He would further contend that the learned trial judge wrongly came to conclusion and decreed the suit and therefore the appeal may be allowed. 15. The learned counsel for appellant/plaintiff in A.S. No. 1938 of 2003 would contend that she is not questioning the decree and judgment passed by the trial Court except suit costs. He would further contend that the trial Court decreed the suit, but disallowed the costs of the suit.
15. The learned counsel for appellant/plaintiff in A.S. No. 1938 of 2003 would contend that she is not questioning the decree and judgment passed by the trial Court except suit costs. He would further contend that the trial Court decreed the suit, but disallowed the costs of the suit. He would further contend that when the appellant has enforced her legal right successfully and that there is no justification at all in disallowing the costs. He would further contend that the appeal may be allowed by awarding suit costs to the plaintiff in the suit. 16. Having regard to the pleadings in the suit and the findings recorded by the trial Court and in the light of rival contentions and submissions made by either side before this Court, the following points would arise for determination: (i) Whether Ex.B1 will dated 09.04.1984 is the last testament of late Nagabhushanamma and the said will is true and valid? (ii) Whether Ex.A1 will dated 03.04.1984 is the last testament of late Nagabhushanamma and the said will is true and valid? (iii) Whether the plaintiff is entitled the relief of declaration of title and recovery of possession of the plaint schedule property as prayed for? (iv) Whether the appellant/plaintiff in A.S. No. 1938 of 2003 is entitled suit costs as prayed in the grounds of appeal in A.S. No. 1938 of 2003? (v) Whether the decree and judgment passed by the trial Court needs any interference, if so, to what extent? 17. Point No. 1 Whether Ex.B1 will dated 09.04.1984 is the last testament of late Nagabhushanamma and the said will is true and valid? The relationship of the plaintiff with defendants 1 and 2 is not in dispute. The second defendant is none other than the wife of first defendant. According to the defendants, paternal grand mother of first defendant and plaintiff executed an unregistered will on 09.04.1984 and the said will is last will and testament of the said Nagabhushanamma. They further pleaded that the said Nagabhushanamma executed a will dated 09.04.1984 voluntarily and out of her own free will and in a sound and disposing state of mind.
According to the defendants, paternal grand mother of first defendant and plaintiff executed an unregistered will on 09.04.1984 and the said will is last will and testament of the said Nagabhushanamma. They further pleaded that the said Nagabhushanamma executed a will dated 09.04.1984 voluntarily and out of her own free will and in a sound and disposing state of mind. They further pleaded that the said Nagabhushanamma clearly made out her intention in the said will bequeathing Ac.1.00 cents out of Ac.2.34 cents in R.S. No. 697/2 to the plaintiff, remaining extent of Ac.1.34 cents to the first defendant and Ac.2.96 cents in R.S. No. 698 to the second defendant, who is the wife of the first defendant. The defendants further pleaded that for the first time on 09.04.1984 they came to know about the Ex.A1 will dated 03.04.1984 and in Ex.B1 it was recited that the previous will dated 03.04.1984 was cancelled. The defendants 1 and 2 relied on Ex.B1 will. They further pleaded that Ex.B1 will is the last testament of the testatrix Nagabhushanamma. Therefore, it is the duty of the propounder of the Ex.B1 will to prove the same in accordance with law. It is alleged by defendants 1 and 2 that Ex.B1 dated 09.04.1984 is said to have been executed by testator Nagabhushanamma in the presence of attestors Kuchetti Sriramulu and Ginni Appanna and scribed by Anantham Punnaiah Swamy. Admittedly the alleged 2 attestors of Ex.B1 is not examined by the propounder of Ex.B1 will. It is the case of defendants 1 and 2 that the second attestor Ginni Appanna is no more and he died. The first attestor Kuchetti Sriramulu is not examined as a witness by propounder of the will to prove Ex.B1 will. The reason offered by the defendants 1 and 2 is that the first attestor is aged about 70 years and he is unable to move, due to that they could not examine the first attestor to prove the Ex.B1 will. But it is quite surprise to note that the own witness of the propounder of the Ex.B1 will i.e. scribe DW2 admits in cross examination that the first attestor Sriramulu is able to move in the village and except his old age, he has no other disease.
But it is quite surprise to note that the own witness of the propounder of the Ex.B1 will i.e. scribe DW2 admits in cross examination that the first attestor Sriramulu is able to move in the village and except his old age, he has no other disease. Absolutely no oral or documentary evidence is produced by the propounder of the Ex.B1 will to show that first attestor is suffering from illness and he is a bed ridden. Therefore, explanation offered by the profounder of Ex.B1 unregistered will for non-examination of the attestor of Ex.B1 will before the Court, even though he is alive, is certainly fatal to the case of the defendants. 18. The scribe of alleged Ex.B1 will is examined as DW2. He deposed in his evidence that on 09.04.1984 the first defendant met him for getting a will and testament drafted by him, along with him he also brought two witnesses in the jeep, they came to Tekkali from Rayavalasa and Appanna died at about 12 years ago. Sriramulu is aged about 70 years, he cannot move due to old age. He further deposed that Nagabhushanamma asked him to draft a will, accordingly he drafted a will and after conclusion of drafting the will he read over the contents to Nagabhushanamma, he also signed on the will and Nagabhushanamma and attestors have signed in the original will in his presence. As stated supra, there was a clear admission by DW2 in his evidence in cross examination itself that the attestor Sriramulu is able to move in the village and except old age, he has no other sort of diseases. He admits in cross examination that Tekkali is a town and it is a revenue sub division and there are document writers at Tekkali and the village Rayavalasa is at distance of 2 ½ kilometers from Tekkali. As stated supra, the alleged Ex.B1 will is an un-registered will. It is the case of the defendants that within 7 days from the date of Ex.B1, the testatrix died. 19. A reliance has been placed by the learned counsel for defendants 1 and 2 in Nirode Mohan Ray vs. Charu Chandra Majumdar, 1949 SCC Online Cal.
As stated supra, the alleged Ex.B1 will is an un-registered will. It is the case of the defendants that within 7 days from the date of Ex.B1, the testatrix died. 19. A reliance has been placed by the learned counsel for defendants 1 and 2 in Nirode Mohan Ray vs. Charu Chandra Majumdar, 1949 SCC Online Cal. 188 in that decision it was held as follows: Section 63 of the Indian Succession Act requires that an attesting witness must not only see the testator sign and himself sign in his presence, but that he must sign as a witness to the fact of execution. It is not necessary that, in signing, any expression should be used to indicate that, but the Court must be able to infer from the evidence and the position of the signature on the will itself that he was signing as such. In the case on hand, the above requirements are missing in the evidence of DW2. 20. The leaned counsel for defendant No. 4 relied on a decision in Meena Pradhan and Others vs. Kamla Pradhan and Another, 2023 Live Law (SC) 809. The learned counsel for defendant No. 4 also relied on a judgment in Pattu vs. Krishnammal @ Singari, 2017 SCC Online Madras 13558 in that decision it was held as follows: For proof of a document, there may be more than one witnesses like the scribe of the Will in this case. When one of the attesting witness is examined and subjected himself to be cross examined, mere non examination of the other attesting witness, who happen to be the scribe also, will not render the Will duly executed an ingenuine document. Under the evidence Act, the value of the evidence is appreciated not by quantity but, by quality. No law or judgment subscribes that when the scribe of the Will is one of the attesting witness, he is the best witness and he alone is competent to depose about the execution of the Will. In the case on hand, as stated supra, even though one attesting witness in Ex.B1 will is alive and he is able to move in the village, the propounder of the Ex.B1 failed to examine the said attestor, no explanation is offered by the profounder of Ex.B1 will on the said aspect. 21.
In the case on hand, as stated supra, even though one attesting witness in Ex.B1 will is alive and he is able to move in the village, the propounder of the Ex.B1 failed to examine the said attestor, no explanation is offered by the profounder of Ex.B1 will on the said aspect. 21. The learned counsel for defendant No. 4 relied on a judgment in Khatri Hotels Private Limited and Another vs. Union of India and Another, (2011) 9 SCC 126 and also relied on a judgment of composite High Court of Andhra Pradesh at Hyderabad in CCCA No. 140 of 1988. The facts in the cited decision relates to the declaration and consequential relief of permanent injunction. In the case on hand, the suit is filed for relief of declaration and recovery of possession. The case of the plaintiff in the present suit is that she is staying along with her husband at Hyderabad but not at the village of suit schedule property. 22. The learned counsel for defendants 1 and 2 relied on a judgment in Madamanchi Venkatasubbaiah vs. Madamanchi Subbamma and Others, 1955 SCC Online A.P. 202 in that decision it was held as follows: Undeniably one attesting witness was alive at the relevant time. The question for consideration is whether the non examination of one of the persons who subscribed his signature as an attesting witness results in the document being excluded from evidence. In my opinion, the proof contemplated in this section can be furnished by the scribe of the document who could speak to the execution of it and it is not essential that it should be proved only by at least one of the attesting witnesses. The law regarding proof of will is well settled by this Court in catena of judgments Section 63 of Succession Act 1925 mandates that the will shall be attested by 2 or more witnesses as per Section 68 of Evidence Act, if only one attesting witness is alive, the execution of will can be proved by only one attesting witness subject to process of the Court and capable of giving evidence. 23.
23. In the case of N. Kamalam (Dead) and Others vs. Ayyasamy and Others, MANU/SC/0422/2001 the Apex Court held as follows: This attestation however, shall have to be in accordance with Section 68 of the Evidence Act which requires that if a document is required by law to be attested, it shall not be used as evidence until at least one attesting witness has been called for the purpose of proving its execution and the same is so however, in the event of there being an attesting witness alive and capable of giving the evidence. The law is also equally well-settled that in the event of there being circumstances surrounding the execution of the will, shrouded in suspicion, it is the duty paramount on the part of the propounder to remove that suspicion by leading satisfactory evidence. 24. In a case of Dhanpat vs. Sheo Ram (Deceased) through LRs. and Others, MANU/SC/0330/2020 the Apex Court held as follows: Ordinarily, the burden of proving the due execution of the will is discharged if the propounder leads evidence to show that the will bears the signature or mark of the testator and that the will is duly attested. For proving attestation, the best evidence would naturally be of an attesting witness and indeed the will cannot be used as evidence unless at least one attesting witness, depending on availability, has been called for proving its execution as required by Section 68 of the Evidence Act.... In the case on hand, the case of the defendants 1 and 2 is that Ex.B1 alleged unregistered will is attested by 2 attestors and first attestor is alive and second attestor Ginni Appanna is no more and he died. The first attestor Kuchetti Sriramulu is not examined by the propounder of the will. As per the own admissions of the witness of the defendants i.e. scribe, the first attestor is able to move in the village and except old age he has no other sort of disease. As stated supra, no evidence is produced by the propounder of the will to show that the first attestor in Ex.B1 will is suffering from sickness. It is well settled that the scribe cannot be treated as an attesting witness.
As stated supra, no evidence is produced by the propounder of the will to show that the first attestor in Ex.B1 will is suffering from sickness. It is well settled that the scribe cannot be treated as an attesting witness. The legal position in this regard is no more res integra, the same has been well settled by the Apex Court in (aforesaid judgment) N. Kamalam (dead) and Others vs. Ayyasamy and Others, in that decision, it was held as follows: The effect of subscribing a signature on the part of the scribe cannot in our view be identified to be of same status as that of the attesting witnesses. The signature of the attesting witness as noticed above on a document, required attestation (admittedly in the case of a will the same is required), is a requirement of the statue, thus cannot be equated with that of the scribe. The ratio laid down in the said decision is squarely applicable to the present facts of the case. 25. For the reasons stated above, it is undoubtedly clearly that the defendants failed to prove the Ex.B1 unregistered will. As stated supra, the alleged will Ex.B1 is unregistered will and the testatrix died within one week from the date of Ex.B1. Even though, one of the attesting witness is alive and able to move in the village and except his old age, he has no other sort of disease, the propounder of the will failed to examined the first attestor of the alleged Ex.B1, as a witness before the trial Court, the same is admitted by DW2 (scribe of alleged Ex.B1) i.e. own witness of the propounder of the Ex.B1 will, therefore, the alleged Ex.B1 will is not at all proved by the defendants, accordingly, the point No. 1 is answered against the defendants. 26. Point No. 2: Whether Ex.A1 will dated 03.04.1984 is the last testament of late Nagabhushanamma and the said will is true and valid? It is not in dispute by both sides that the entire plaint schedule property belongs to Nagabhushanamma i.e. paternal grand mother of plaintiff and first defendant.
26. Point No. 2: Whether Ex.A1 will dated 03.04.1984 is the last testament of late Nagabhushanamma and the said will is true and valid? It is not in dispute by both sides that the entire plaint schedule property belongs to Nagabhushanamma i.e. paternal grand mother of plaintiff and first defendant. It is also not in dispute that the plaintiff donated an extent of Ac.0.50 cents land from out of Ac.2.34 cents in R.S. No. 697/2 to the government for construction of building to locate Junior Civil Judge’s Court at Chinthalapudi and executed a registered gift settlement deed by the plaintiff dated 20.12.1989. It is also made it clear that the first defendant, who is none other than the own brother of the plaintiff is acted as one of the attesting witness as well as identifying witness before the Sub Registrar in the said gift settlement deed. Fact remains that the said copy of gift settlement deed is marked as Ex.A2. 27. The case of the plaintiff is that the Nagabhushanamma executed a will dated 03.04.1984 by bequeathing the Ac.5.30 cents of land i.e. total plaint schedule property and other property in favour of the plaintiff and as per the terms of the said will the entire property was bequeathed to the plaintiff. The case of the plaintiff is that from out of the total extent of property given under Ex.A1 will, she donated an extent of Ac.0.50 cents of land to the government for construction of Junior Civil Judge’s Court building at Chinthalapudi. As stated supra, the first defendant also acted as attestor and so also acted as identifying witness in the said gift settlement deed. The contention of the defendants 1 and 2 is that the said Nagabhushanamma executed another will dated 09.04.1984 cancelling the earlier will Ex.A1 and as per the terms of the will item No. 1 of the plaint schedule property was bequeathed to the wife of the first defendant and Ac.1.34 cents out of item No. 2 of the plaint schedule property to the first defendant and the remaining Ac.1.00 cents to the plaintiff. As stated supra, the propounder of the alleged Ex.B1 will dated 09.04.1984 failed to prove the alleged Ex.B1 will. 28.
As stated supra, the propounder of the alleged Ex.B1 will dated 09.04.1984 failed to prove the alleged Ex.B1 will. 28. The case of the plaintiff is that late Nagabhushanamma is her paternal grand mother and the first defendant is the only brother to the plaintiff and late Nagabhushanamma during her life time executed a registered will dated 19.10.1983 bequeathing an extent of Ac.11.97 cents and 300 square yards of site and tiled house therein situated at Chinthalapudi to the first defendant. The same is not disputed by the defendants. It goes to show that the said late Nagabhushanamma had given sufficient property under a registered will dated 19.10.1983 to the first defendant by leaving the plaint schedule property in the present suit. The plaintiff further pleaded that the said Nagabhushanamma excluded the plaint schedule property in the said registered will dated 19.10.1983 executed in favour of the first defendant. The contention of the plaintiff is that in fact the first defendant advised the Nagabhushanamma to bequeath the suit schedule property of an extent of Ac.5.30 cents to the plaintiff, from out of love and affection towards the plaintiff, she voluntarily, out of her own will in a sound and disposing state of mind, executed a will at Tekkali on 03.04.1984 bequeathing her remaining Ac.5.30 cents of dry land to the plaintiff. It is also not in dispute that the testatrix Nagabhushanamma was no more. The original will dated 03.04.1984 is filed and marked as Ex.A1. As stated supra, the duty cast on the propounder of Ex.A1 will to prove the Ex.A1 will. The defendants pleaded that the said Ex.A1 will is a forged will and they pleaded that Nagabhushanamma executed Ex.B1 will on 09.04.1984, the same is her last testament. It is not in dispute by both the defendants that in the alleged will of the defendants i.e. Ex.B1, Ex.A1 will is referred. As stated supra, the Ex.B1 will is not proved by the propounder of the will. 29. To prove the Ex.A1 will dated 03.04.1984, the propounder of Ex.A1 got examined one of the attestor in Ex.A1 as PW2.
It is not in dispute by both the defendants that in the alleged will of the defendants i.e. Ex.B1, Ex.A1 will is referred. As stated supra, the Ex.B1 will is not proved by the propounder of the will. 29. To prove the Ex.A1 will dated 03.04.1984, the propounder of Ex.A1 got examined one of the attestor in Ex.A1 as PW2. He deposed in his evidence that he knows the plaintiff and defendants 1 and 2 and he knows the grand mother of the plaintiff and the first defendant i.e. Nagabhushanamma, Ex.A1 was executed by Parasa Nagabhushanamma in the presence of himself and another attestor and scribe and the first defendant instructed the scribe and got Ex.A1 drafted and the scribe read over the contents of the Ex.A1 will to the testatrix and the testatrix admitted the contents are true and correct and signed in Ex.A1 in the presence of all of them including 2 witnesses and scribe. He further deposed that himself and other witness also attested Ex.A1, the scribe also endorsed his endorsement in his presence, at the time of execution of Ex.A1, Nagabhushanamma was in a sound and disposing state of mind. He further deposed that the first defendant invited him to attest Ex.A1 will. No specific suggestion is given to PW2 by the learned counsel for defendants in cross examination that the Nagabhushanamma did not execute Ex.A1 will. No suggestion was given to PW2 by the learned counsel for defendants that the first defendant did not gave instructions to the scribe of Ex.A1 will to prepare Ex.A1 will. Another important circumstance to believe Ex.A1 will is no suggestion was given to PW2 by the learned counsel for defendants that the Ex.A1 will is a forged one. In cross examination nothing was elicited from PW2 to discredit the testimony of PW2. The evidence of PW2 is consistent and cogent with regard to execution of Ex.A1 will by the testatrix Nagabhushanamma. 30. It is well settled that ordinarily, the burden of proving the execution of the will is discharged if the propounder leads evidence to show that the will bears the signature or mark of the testator and that the will is duly attested.
30. It is well settled that ordinarily, the burden of proving the execution of the will is discharged if the propounder leads evidence to show that the will bears the signature or mark of the testator and that the will is duly attested. For proving attestation, the best evidence would naturally be of an attesting witness and indeed the will cannot be used as evidence unless at least one attesting witness, depending on availability has been called for proving its execution as required by the Section 68 of Indian Evidence Act. The pleadings in the plaint itself show that since the grand mother of plaintiff and first defendant Nagabhushanamma bequeathed sufficient property of Ac.11.97 cents and 300 square yards of site and tiled house therein situated at Chinthalapudi to the first defendant, the first defendant advised the said Nagabhushanamma to bequeath her remaining property of an extent of Ac.5.30 cents in favour of the plaintiff and the first defendant himself gave instructions to the scribe to prepare the Ex.A1 will. The evidence of PW2 also goes to show that the first defendant gave instructions to the scribe to prepare Ex.A1 will. As stated supra, no suggestion was given to PW2 in cross-examination by the learned counsel for defendants that the first defendant did not give instructions to prepare Ex.A1 will. The evidence of PW2 inspires confidence to prove the Ex.A1 alleged testament, therefore, the propounder of Ex.A1 satisfied the requirements of Sections 63 and 68 of Indian Evidence Act. 31. It is well settled that the witness is not supposed to repeat in a parrot like manner the language of Section 68 of Evidence Act. It is a question of fact in each case as to whether the witness was present at the time of execution of the will and whether the testator and the attesting witness have signed in his presence. The statement of attesting witness proves the due execution of the will. 32. In the case on hand, to prove the Ex.A1 will, the propounder of the Ex.A1 will produced sufficient cogent evidence and she got examined the attestor of Ex.A1 will as PW2. As stated supra, the evidence of PW2 inspires confidence to believe the Ex.A1, the evidence of PW2 clearly proves about the execution of Ex.A1 will by the testatrix in the presence of PW2 and another attestor and scribe.
As stated supra, the evidence of PW2 inspires confidence to believe the Ex.A1, the evidence of PW2 clearly proves about the execution of Ex.A1 will by the testatrix in the presence of PW2 and another attestor and scribe. Further more, no suggestion was given to PW2 by the learned counsel for defendants in cross examination that Ex.A1 will is a fabricated will. As stated supra, no suggestion was given to PW2, in cross examination, by the learned counsel for defendants that the said Nagabhushanamma did not execute Ex.A1 will. Therefore, the plaintiff proved the Ex.A1 will dated 03.04.1984, accordingly the point No. 2 is answered in favour of the plaintiff. 33. Point No. 3: Whether the plaintiff is entitled the relief of declaration of title and recovery of possession of the plaint schedule property as prayed for? It is not in dispute that the entire plaint schedule property originally belongs to late P. Nagabhushanamma i.e. the paternal grand mother of the plaintiff and the first defendant. The material on record clearly proves that the said Nagabhushanamma executed Ex.A1 will dated 03.04.1984 in favour of plaintiff by bequeathing the total property of Ac.5.30 cents of land under a will dated 03.04.1984 and later the said Nagabhushanamma died, subsequent to the death of Nagabhushanamma, the plaintiff donated Ac.0.50 cents of land from out of Ac.2.34 cents in item No. 2 of plaint schedule property, under Ex.A1 will to the government for construction of the Court building at Chinthalapudi, the first defendant also acted as attestor in the said gift settlement deed dated 20.12.1989. The said gift settlement deed was marked as Ex.A2. The first defendant is acted as attestor and so also identifying witness in the Ex.A2 gift settlement deed. As stated supra, the plaintiff proved the Ex.A1 will. It is not in dispute that the Nagabhushanamma died in the year 1984 itself. Therefore, the plaintiff is having valid right and title in the plaint schedule property by virtue of Ex.A1 will dated 03.04.1984.
As stated supra, the plaintiff proved the Ex.A1 will. It is not in dispute that the Nagabhushanamma died in the year 1984 itself. Therefore, the plaintiff is having valid right and title in the plaint schedule property by virtue of Ex.A1 will dated 03.04.1984. The case of the plaintiff is that she came to know that the defendants 1 and 2, who are none other than the husband and wife, collusively with a view to make unlawful gain to themselves and cause wrongful loss to the plaintiff, trespassed into the suit schedule land in the year 1994 without any right, title or possession, taking advantage of the plaintiff’s absence at Chinthalapudi and who is residing at Hyderabad with her husband and second defendant alienated Ac.2.96 cents of land to the defendants 3 and 4 even though, she is not having any right and title in the plaint schedule property. The suit is instituted by the plaintiff in the year 1996 itself. The material on record reveals that the plaintiff is having valid right and title in the plaint schedule property by virtue of Ex.A1 will dated 03.04.1984 executed by the Nagabhushanamma in favour of the plaintiff and the said Nagabhushanamma is no more, she died in the year 1984, therefore by virtue of Ex.A1 will, the plaintiff is having valid right and title in the plaint schedule property. Since the plaintiff is having valid right and title in the plaint schedule property, certainly, she is entitled to recovery of possession of the plaint schedule property from the defendants, accordingly the point No. 3 is answered in favour of the plaintiff. 34. Point No. 4: Whether the appellant/plaintiff in A.S. No. 1938 of 2003 is entitled suit costs as prayed in the grounds of appeal in A.S. No. 1938 of 2003? The plaintiff filed A.S. No. 1938 of 2003. The plaintiff is not challenging the decree and judgment passed by the trial Court, she is challenging the finding of the trial Court for not awarding the suit costs, even though the suit is decreed. It is a fact that the trial Court decreed the suit by granting the relief of declaration and recovery of possession of the plaint schedule property to the plaintiff, but no suit costs was awarded to the plaintiff by the trial Court. The trial Court simply held that each party do bear their own costs.
It is a fact that the trial Court decreed the suit by granting the relief of declaration and recovery of possession of the plaint schedule property to the plaintiff, but no suit costs was awarded to the plaintiff by the trial Court. The trial Court simply held that each party do bear their own costs. As per Section 35 of Civil Procedure Code, the Court has to assign reasons for denying the costs to the successful plaintiff in a suit. The suit of plaintiff is decreed by the trial Court. But no reasons were assigned by the trial Court for denying the suit costs to the successful party. 35. It is well settled that the trial Court while denying the suit costs to the successful party/plaintiff, while granting main relief of declaration of title and recovery of possession in favour of the plaintiff, reasons has to be assigned for denying the suit costs. Now, there is no doubt that the Section 35 of Civil Procedure Code empowers the Court in its discretion to order payment of costs. But this discretion has to be properly exercised within the frame work of law and the normal rule, which is well known, is that cost follow the event. There is a power to the Court to direct in any particular case that costs shall not follow the event. But that case if Court has to state its reasons in writing. 36. In the case on hand, no reasons were assigned by the trial Court for denying the suit costs to the successful party/plaintiff, even though the suit of the plaintiff is decreed. The plaintiff filed the suit in the year 1996 for claiming the relief of declaration of title and recovery of possession and as on today the defendants are in a possession of the plaint schedule property. As stated supra, this Court also came to conclusion that the plaintiff is entitled relief of declaration of title and recovery of possession and the defendants are enjoying the suit schedule property from 1994 onwards. The plaintiff filed the present appeal for denying the suit costs to the plaintiff even though the suit is decreed. I do not find any reasons to disallow the costs in the suit by the trial Court, therefore, the plaintiff is entitled the suit costs in the suit.
The plaintiff filed the present appeal for denying the suit costs to the plaintiff even though the suit is decreed. I do not find any reasons to disallow the costs in the suit by the trial Court, therefore, the plaintiff is entitled the suit costs in the suit. The finding of the trial Court that each party do bear their own costs is liable to be set aside and the plaintiff is entitled suit costs from the defendants, accordingly, the point No. 4 is answered in favour of the plaintiff. 37. Point No. 5: Whether the decree and judgment passed by the trial Court needs any interference, if so, to what extent? For the foregoing reasons, the trial Court justified in decreeing the suit, but the trial Court came to wrong conclusion that each party do bear their own costs, therefore, the said finding of disallowing the suit costs to the plaintiff is liable to be set aside. 38. In the result, A.S. No. 1924 of 2003 and A.S. No. 1621 of 2003 are dismissed. 39. In the result, A.S. No. 1938 of 2003 filed by the plaintiff is allowed by modifying the finding of the trial Court that each party do bear their own costs as the plaintiff is entitled the suit costs from the defendants. The defendants are directed to deliver the vacant possession of the plaint schedule property to the plaintiff within 3 months from the date of this judgment. Considering the circumstances of the case, I order that each party do bear their own costs in the appeals. 40. As a sequel, miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending in the Appeals shall stand closed.