VIDFYAYA BAI Vs. LAL NARAYANDAS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS is a second appeal by the defendants.

(2.) THE suit of the plaintiff-respondent was for accounts of profits or for compensation for use and occupation by the defendants of what he alleged was the joint property of the parties. Initially, the claim was laid for the years 1955-56 to 1959-60 on the allegation that the plaintiff had been excluded by the defendants from joint possession of the suit property since about 1-5-1947, to the extent of his half share therein, and that though the plaintiff had demanded accounts of the profits several times, the defendants refused to render accounts or to pay his share of the profits. Later, on or about 1-7-1965, the plaint was amended to include accounts and profits for the period of the pendency of the suit, viz., for the years 1960-61 to 1964-65.

(3.) IN this second appeal, various contentions were raised by the learned counsel for the defendants-appellants ; but I need not discuss them in detail now, in view of the fact that the case is being remanded to the trial Court for a fresh trial. The main question that was debated before me was whether a suit by co-sharer for accounts or for compensation against another co-sharer lies ; and, if so, under what circumstances. After the point had been debated, both the parties agreed that as the law had been misconceived by the parties, it would be in the interest of justice that the case was remanded for a fresh trial so that the parties could, if so advised, bring on record relevant evidence in support of their respective contentions. Parties prayed that the Court may express its opinion on the abstract question of law as aforesaid so that the parties could be guided by it in laying their claims and in leading evidence in accordance with it.