DRAUPADI DASYA Vs. RAJKUMARI DASYA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal is against an order refusing an application for revocation of Letters of Administration with a copy of the Will annexed, which had been granted to the respondent Raj Kumari Dasi in 1914.

(2.) It appears that one Broja Kishore died leaving his widow Kunja Mani, a daughter Raj Kumari, a daughter s son Sarat, a widowed daughter-in-law Draupadi and two granddaughters Sarala and Khiroda. Brojo Kishore executed a Will on the 3rd November 1896 by which he bequeathed, subject to the life interest to be enjoyed by his widow Kunja Mani and with the exception of some properties and legacies, an 8-annas share of his estate to big widowed daughter-in-law Draupadi and the, other half to his daughter Raj Kumari. In 1907 Kunja Mani applied for and, obtained Probate of a later unregistered Will said to have been executed by Brojo Kishore on the 8th June 1906. By this Will the right of the daughter-in law in the estate was considerably cut down, Kunja Mani died in 1914 and her daughter Raj Kumari and her son Sarat obtained Letters of Administration with a copy of the Will annexed. On the 20th November 1914 an application for revocation was made by Draupadi on the ground that no citation had been served upon her at the time when Letters of Administration were granted to Raj Kumari. Raj Kumari and her son pleaded that citation had been served upon Dranpadi. A large number of witnesses were examined on the point as to whether citation had really been served or not. After the evidence on both sides bad bean taken, at the time of argument it was contended on behalf of Raj Kumari that Draupadi had no locus standi to apply for revocation of the Will, and the learned Judge has thrown out the application on that ground.

(3.) We are of opinion that this case ought not to have been disposed of in this way. The fact that there was an earlier Will is admitted and in the later Will itself it is stated that the earlier Will is thereby revoked. There are many references in the evidence on both sides to the earlier Will. Now, if the later Will stands, Draupadi cannot claim any rights under the first Will under which she has a substantial interest. She had, therefore, sufficient interest to oppose the grant of the later Will and to apply for revocation of the later Will.