(1.) The defeated plaintiff in a suit for partition is the appellant in this second appeal.
(2.) The facts relevant for decision are the following:
(3.) Defendants 1 to 8 remained ex-parte. The 10th defendant contested the suit contending mainly that Ammalu Amma had executed Ext.B1 gift deed in respect of her share in the suit properties in favour of the 10th defendant and thus on her death, the 10th defendant became the absolute owner of the suit properties.