(1.) The judgment and decree dated 31.01.2002 and made in the appeal in A.S.No.124 of 2001 on the file of the learned first Additional District Judge/Chief Judicial Magistrate, Salem are impugned in this Second Appeal.
(2.) The appellants are the plaintiffs in the suit in O.S.No.351 of 1997, whereas the 1st respondent herein is the first defendant in the suit. The 2nd respondent being the second defendant had passed away. The respondents 3 to 7 have been brought on record as the legal heirs of the deceased R2, vide order dated 05.06.2013 and made in the petition in C.M.P.No.12911 of 2005.
(3.) For easy reference and for the sake of convenience, the appellants herein may herein after be referred to as the plaintiffs and the respondents be referred to as the defendants, where ever the context so require.