(1.) THIS first appeal is at the instance of the defendants in a suit for partition and is directed against judgment and decree dated 16th July, 1968 passed by the Subordinate Judge, Purulia, in Title suit No. 45 of 1961 thereby passing a preliminary decree in a suit for partition by declaring share of the respective parties.
(2.) THE case made out by the plaintiffs-respondents may be summed up thus:
(3.) THE suit was contested by the defendant No. 1 by filing written statement thereby denying the material allegations made therein and the defence of the defendant No. 1 may be summed up thus :