RANGASAWMY IYENGAR Vs. ANNATHURAI IYENGAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The suit is on a mort-gage executed by the father of the 1 defendant in favour of the 1st defendant's daughter. The 1 defendant sued in Original Suit No. 407 of 1903 for a declaration that the mortgage had been discharged by his father before his death. The suit was dismissed on appeal. The question is whether the 3rd, 4 and 5 defendants, who are the sons of the 1 defendant, can plead discharge of the mortgagee as a defence to the present suit. It is the case of both sides. That the answer depends on the further question whether the 1 defendant conducted the suit of 1903 on behalf of his family as managing member thereof. The Subordinate Judge says there is nothing to show that be maintained that suit in his representative capacity as manager of the family and not in his individual capacity, and against this it is contended for the appellant that the circumstances found raise a presumption that the suit was on behalf of the family. These circumstances are that the interests of the 1 defendant and his sons were identical, it being as much to their interest as to his to free the family land of the encumbrance and that the 1 defendant was the father of the family.

(2.) The plaint does not allege that the 1 defendant sued as manager nor does it appear that the 1 defendant was asked any question upon that point. The question was, therefore, not clearly raised and we are unable to say as a matter of law that the Subordinate Judge was bound to raise a presumption on the circumstances relied on by the appellant.

(3.) The second appeal is dismissed with costs.