DINANATH VERMA Vs. GOKARAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) -The Suit No. 20 of 1972 was filed in the court of Civil Judge, Basti by the respondent No. 1 for the relief of partition of 1/3 share of respondent No. 1 in the disputed four houses, details at the foot of the plaint and for recovery of Rs. 2,136 being arrears of rent from defendants Nos. 1 and 2 and Rs. 840 as arrears of rent from defendants Nos. 6 and 7.

(2.) THE facts of the case in brief are that there was one Pati Raj Sonar, who left Smt. Yashoda as his widow and Tirath Ram as his son. Tirath Ram was married to Smt. Lakhraji, appellant No. 8. Tirath Ram died on 14.10.1967, leaving Smt. Lakhraji his wife, Smt. Yashoda Devi his mother, Smt. Kesari Devi and Smt. Kapura Devi, respondent Nos. 2 and 3 as his daughters. It is alleged in the plaint that after the death of Tirath Ram, Smt. Lakhraji re-married with Phagoo, who was appellant No. 1 in this appeal and died during the pendency of the appeal. That according to the custom prevailing in the locality regarding the community to which parties belong, Smt. Lakhraji divested of the property, which was inherited by her from her husband, Tirath Ram after re-marriage. That the plaintiff purchased the property from Yashoda Devi, mother of Tirath Ram, who had 1/3 share in the disputed houses after the death of Tirath Ram and re-marriage of Lakhraji.

(3.) THE suit was contested by the appellants and they have pleaded that Smt. Lakhraji never re-married to Phagoo. That there is no such custom in the community that on the re-marriage of the widow, she is divested from the property succeeded by her from her previous husband. That Smt. Yashoda Devi had no right in the property. She surrendered her rights in the property in favour of Tirath Ram and after the death of Tirath Ram, the property was inherited by Smt. Lakhraji. That the disputed property is agricultural land in which houses have been constructed. That during the consolidation operations, the entire property was entered in the name of Smt. Lakhraji and, therefore, the claim of Smt. Yashoda Devi and the plaintiff and respondent Nos. 2 and 3 is barred by Section 49 of U. P. Consolidation of Holdings Act.