P KAMAKSHI ALIAS KALA JACOB Vs. P DEVAKI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) PARTIES herein will be referred according to their ranks in O.S.No.1647 of 1993 on the file of City Civil Court, Madras. O.S.No.1647 of 1993 and O.S.2074 of 1993 are two suits filed by respective plaintiffs herein claiming themselves as legally wedded wife and children of late Palanisamy.

(2.) P.Kamakshi who is first plaintiff in O.S.No.1674 of 1993 filed the suit for declaration that she along with her children who are plaintiffs 2 to 4 are the only legal heirs of Palanisamy who died as Master craftsman in Southern Railway at Perambur and who died in a railway accident on 3.9.1992. According to her, her marriage with Palanisamy was performed according to Hindu rites on 17.1.1962 at Varadammal Thottam, Berracha Road, Kilpauk Gardens, Madras and subsequent to her marriage, herself and Palanisamy were residing at Door No.2, Ujjaini Street, Ayanavaram, Madras for about 33 years. Thereafter, plaintiffs are residing at the present address i.e., at No.21, Somasundara Devar 5th Street, Ayanavaram, Madras. It is their case that first plaintiff stood as surety for the loans received by Palanisamy and after his death, creditors also issued notice asking first plaintiff to close the transactions. The railways who is the employer of late Palanisamy also intimated first plaintiff that a claim is also made by one Devaki claim in herself as legally wedded wife of Palanisamy and employer wanted a certificate from Civil Court entitling her to receive the monetary benefits due to deceased Palanisamy. It is also stated that in view of the premature death of her husband, her son Ruthrakumar, who is second plaintiff also received financial assistance from second defendant. It is further averred that even if late Palanisamy had any connection with first defendant, she cannot claim her status as wife of deceased especially when first marriage was subsisting. The suit was therefore laid to get a declaration that she and other plaintiffs born to her in Palanisamy alone are entitled to the monetary benefits due to deceased Palanisamy.

(3.) DURING trial Kamakshi got examined herself as P.W.1 and plaintiffs 2 and 3 in O.S.No.1647 of 1993 got themselves examined as P.Ws.2 and 3. Documentary evidence on the side of plaintiff consist of Exs.A-1 to A-22. On the side of defendants Devaki was examined as D.W.1 and three other witnesses were examined as D.Ws.2 to 4. Documentary evidence on the side of defendants consist of Exs.B-1 to B-14.