LAWS(KER)-2025-7-52

RAJANI Vs. RADHA NAMBIDI

Decided On July 07, 2025
RAJANI Appellant
V/S
Radha Nambidi Respondents

JUDGEMENT

(1.) "In a daughter, the goddess of prosperity resides always. She is established in her always. A daughter is glorious, endowed with all that is good, to be honoured at the beginning of every good work."

(2.) The defendants entered appearance and contested the case. The 1st defendant, who was alive at the time of filing of the suit, stated that he was in sound mind and the Will which was in question was executed by him. It was further contended that since the plaintiffs were married away by spending his own money, they are not entitled for partition. The 3rd defendant supported the 1st defendant. On behalf of the plaintiffs, Exts.A1 to A3 were marked and PW1 was examined and on behalf of the defendants, Exts.B1 to B19 were marked and DW1 and DW2 were examined. Based on the rival contentions, the following issues were framed by the trial court:

(3.) The trial court, on appreciation of the oral and documentary evidence, found that the Will is genuine and that it was executed by the 1st defendant and, therefore, dismissed the suit. On appeal by the plaintiffs, the first appellate court found that the Will bequeathing the entire extent of the plaint schedule property in favour of the 3rd defendant is not valid, inasmuch as the 1st defendant had only a fractional share over the property, since by the time the Will was executed, the 3rd defendant was born into the family prior to the promulgation of the Kerala Joint Hindu Family System (Abolition) Act, 1975 [Act 30 of 1976]. Accordingly, the first appellate court passed a preliminary decree for partition dividing the plaint B schedule property item Nos.1, 3 and 4 and allotting the plaintiffs 1/12th share each in it. Insofar as item No.2 property is concerned, it was held as not partible. Aggrieved by the aforesaid finding that the plaintiffs have approached this Court in the appeal raising the following substantial questions of law: