Supreme Court of India
K. LAXMANANversusTHEKKAYIL PADMINI & ORS.
- Citation
- 2008 INSC 1392
- Decided
- 3 December 2008
- Disposal
- Dismissed
- Bench
- TARUN CHATTERJEE
Holding
The burden of proving the validity of both the Will and the Gift Deed rests on the propounder; the appellant failed to discharge this burden, and the documents were not proved, leading to dismissal of the appeal.
Summary
The appeal concerned the validity of a Will (Ext.83) and a Gift Deed (Ext.82) executed by the deceased Chathu in favour of his son K. Laxmanan. The appellant was required to prove the genuineness and execution of both documents under Sections 68 and 69 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. Because one attesting witness to the Will had died, another was incapacitated, and the two attesting witnesses to the Gift Deed were not examined, the Court held that primary evidence was unavailable and the appellant had to rely on secondary evidence, which was insufficient. The Court also rejected the appellant’s contention that the proviso to Section 68 exempted a registered Gift Deed from the attestation requirement, noting that the deed’s execution was specifically denied in the pleadings. Consequently, the documents were held not proved, the High Court’s findings of suspicious circumstances were affirmed, and the appeal was dismissed.
Issues considered
- The burden of proving the genuineness and execution of a Will under Section 68 of the Evidence Act when attesting witnesses are unavailable or incapacitated.
- Whether the proviso to Section 68 exempts a registered Gift Deed from the requirement of examining an attesting witness when its execution is not specifically denied.
- The applicability of Section 69 when attesting witnesses to a document are not examined and the need to prove attestation by handwriting.
- The admissibility of secondary evidence to prove a Will in the absence of primary evidence.
- The legal effect of non‑filing of a replication on the admission of facts pleaded in the written statement.
- Whether the High Court’s findings of suspicious circumstances regarding the Will and Gift Deed can be interfered with under Article 136 of the Constitution.
- The relevance of pleading standards under Order VI Rule 1 of the CPC to the evidentiary burden.
Legislation cited
- Code of Civil Procedure, 1908s. Order 6 Rule 1
- Indian Evidence Act, 1872s. 68, s. 69
- Registration Act, 1908
Subjects
WillGift DeedSection 68 Evidence ActSection 69 Evidence Actburden of proofsecondary evidencesuspicious circumstancesreplicationArticle 136Civil Procedure
Judgment
[2008) 16 S.C.R. 1117
K. LAXMANAN A
v.
THEKKAYIL PADMINI & ORS.
(Civil Appeal No. 7082 of 2008)
DECEMBER 3, 2008
B
[TARUN CHATTERJEE AND DR.. MUKUNDAKAM
t SHARMA,. JJ.]
Evidence Act, 1872:
c
s.68 - Will - Genuineness of- Burden to prove - Held:
Is on the propounder - When there are suspicious
circumstances surrounding the Will, onus is on propounder
to explain them to satisfaction of court - Will cannot be used
as evidence until at least one of the attesting witnesses is 0
called for proving its execution - On facts, scribe and one of
attesting witnesses to the Will died before examination -
Second attesting witness was not in good physical condition
inasmuch as he was not able to speak or move, the fact which
was proved by the deposition of the doctor - Consequently,
E
as execution of Will could not be proved by primary evidence,
propounder was required to lead secondary evidence - The
evidence led thereof was not sufficient to satisfy the Court
regarding the genuineness and valid execution of the Will -
Hence Will cannot be accepted as genuine.
F
s.69 - Deed of Gift- Validity of- On facts, One of the
two attesting witnesses to Deed of Gift died - The other
attesting witness was neither examined nor any reason
assigned by appellant-propounder f/}r not examining him -
Since both attesting witnesses were not examined, in terms G
of s. 69, it was incumbent upon propounder to prove that
:attestation of one attesting witness at least was in .his
handwriting and that signature of person executing document
was in the handwriting of that person - Identifying witness
1117 H
1118 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2008] 16 S.C.R.
A ·stated that he had not signed as an identifying witness in ~
•.
respect of Gift deed and also that he did not know about the
signature in Gift deed - Consequently, no interference called
for with the findings recorded by Courts below that appellant
failed to prove that deed of gift was executed by deceased -
B Constitution of India - Article 136.
Cdde of Civil Procedure, 1908: Order 6 r. 1 - Pleadings t
- Replication - Non-filing of - Effect - Held: Mere non filing
of replication would not mean admission of facts pleaded in
written statement.
c
The appellant-fifth defendant and respondent No.1-
plaintiff were brother and sister. After death of their father,
respondent. No.1 filed a suit contending that the property
left behind· by their father devolved upon her and other
D brother and sisters equally and, therefore, each were
entitled to one fourth share. Before the trial Court,
appellant stated that items 1 to 3 in the plaint schedule
property were· assigned in his favour by virtue of a
document Ext.81 and items 13 and 14 were assigned in
E his favour by virtue of Ext. 84. Further in respect of item
Nos. 4 and 5, a gift deed· Ext.82 was executed in his
favour. Also item Nos. 6 to 8 and 10 to 12 were
bequeathed in his favour by Will Ext.83. It was also
pleaded that, in the Will, item No.9 was set apart to the
F share of daughters.
The trial Court held that Ext.82 and Ext.83 were
properly proved by the appellant and therefore in terms
of Ext.83 Will, the only item available for division was item
No.9 of the plaint scf,ledule. On appeal, the First Appellate
G Court held t~at items 1to3 and 13 to 14 were not available
for division which were the prop~rties covered by Ext.81
~
and 84. However, prope.rties covered by Ext.82 and 83
were available for division.
H· Appellant filed appeal before the High Court. The
K. LAXMANAN v. THEKKAYIL PADMINI & ORS. 1119
High Court held that execution of both the Deed of Will A
and also Deed of Gift were shrouded in the mystery and,
therefore, it was the responsibility of the appellant to
dispel the suspicious circumstances by adducing
evidences, which he failed to discharge.
8
In the instant appeal, it was contended for the
appellant that by virtue of s.68 of Evidence Act, 1872, the
examination of atleast one of the attestin·g witnesses is
mandatory only in the case of proving a Will and not in
respect of proving any other document; that a registered C
Gift Deed need not be proved by examining an attesting
- witness inasmuch as respondent No.1 admitted
execution of the Gift Deed by not specifically denying
execution of the said Gift Deed in pleadings; and that
dispute was only in respect of the properties covered by
Ext. 82, Gift Deed and Ext. 83, Will, which were held by D
both the appellate courts to be available for division.
Dismissing the appeal, the Court
HELD: 1.1. A bare reading of s.68 of the Evidence Act E
make it clear that the onus of proving the Will is on the
propounder. The propounder has to prove the legality of
the execution and genuineness of the said Will by
proving absence of suspicious circumstances
surrounding the said Will and also by proving the
testamentary capacity and the signature of the testator. F
.. . Once the same is proved, it could be said that the
propounder has discharged the onus. Even where there
are no such pleas, but circumstances give rise to doubt,
it is on the propounder to satisfy the conscience of the
Court. Suspicious circumstances arise due to several G
reasons such as with regard to genuineness of the
signature of the testator, the conditions of the testator's .
min~_, the dispositions made in the Will being unnatural,
improbable or unfair in the light of relevant circumstances
- or. there might be other indications in the Will to show that H
1120 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2008] 16 S.C.R.
A the testator's mind was not free. In such a case, the Court
would naturally expect that all. legitimate suspicion
should be completely removed before the document is
accepted as the last Will of the testator. [Paras 20 and 21)
[1129-E-F-H; 1.130-A-8]
B
Shashi Kumar Banerjee v. Subodh Kumar Banerjee AIR
(1964) SC 529 and Pushpavathi v. Chandraraja Kadamba
(1973) 3 sec 291, relied on.
1.2. S.68 of the Act categorically provides that a Will
C is required to be attested ·and therefore, it cannot be used
as evidence until at least one of the attesting witnesses
is called for the purpose of proving its execution provided
.·such attesting witness is alive, and subject to the
process of the court and capable of giving evidence. The
D scribe and one of the attesting witnesses to the Will died
before the date of examination of the witnesses. The
second attesting witness was also n<?t in good physical
condition inasmuch as neither was he able to speak nor
was he able to move, the fact which was proved by the
E deposition ·of the doctor examined as DW 2.
Consequently·, as the execution of the Will cannot be
proved by leading primary evidence, the propounder.i:e.
the appellant was required to lead secondary evidence
in order to discharge his onus of proving the Will. [Paras
F 22 and 23] [1130-E-G]
::.. Dau/at Ram v. Sodha (2005) 1 sec 40; relied on.
1.3. The only evidence led by appellant-propounder
top.rove the execution of the Will was by.examining DW-
G 4, the son of attesting witness and by examining an
.identifying witness to Ext. 83 Will. DW-4 though deposed
that the signatures of attesting witness on Ext. 83 were
of his father but, however, he did not state that his father
was an attesting witness in respect of Ext.· 83. On :the
H other'hand, OW 3 stated that though he knew dece'ased
K. LAXMANAN v. THEKKAYIL PADMINI & ORS. 1121
+ but on that day he went to the office of the Sub-Regis~rar A
as an identifying witness for someone else. In his entire
deposition, there was not even a slightest indication to
· the fact that he had witnessed the execution of Ext. 83.
Moreover, no attempt was made by the appellant to prove
and establish the mental and physical condition of the B
testator at the time of execution. Rather the respondent I
proved that the father, at the time of the alleged execution
of the Deed of Will, was 82 years of age and was suffering
from serious physical ailments and was not mentally in
a good state of mind. [Paras 24 and 25] [1130-H; 1131'-A- c
'•.
8-C-D] / ·
>
':1.4. The evidence led by the appellant was not
sufficient to satisfy the Court regarding the genuineness
and:valid execution of the Will. It was also found by ~he
two· appellate courts that there was difference between D
the signatures of testator put on each and every page.
There was no reason to take a different view than what
was taken by the first appellate court as also by the High
Court so far as it concerned the Deed of Will. [Para ~6]
[1131-D-F] E
2.1. Incidentally, the Deed of Gift was also execut~d
on the same day as that of the Will which was held to be
not proved and established in accordance with law and
was discarded by both the appellate courts. The attesting F
witnesses to the said Deed of Gift were also not'
examined; It is true that the pleadings regarding tl:le
execution of the Deed of Gift were stated for the first time
in the written statement" by the fifth defendant, who
pleaded that the ordinary process of inheritance and G .
succession would not apply in the present case in
respect of properties in item 4 and 5 as a Deed of Gift was
executed in his. tavour.lt is however established that the
issue of validity of the execution of both the Deed of Gift 1
and Deed of Will was taken up by the respondent/plaintiff
H
1122 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2008] 16 S.C.R.
A and specifically denied in the affidavits filed in respect of
the injunction applications. The parties have also gone
to trial knowing fully well that execution of both these
documents is under challenge. Parties knowing fully the
factual position led their evidence also to establish the
s legality and validity of both the documents. In that view
of the matter, it cannot be said that the said document
should be deemed to be admitted by the plaintiff as no
replication was filed by the plaintiff. [Paras 27 and 30]
[1131-G-H; 1132-C-F]
c 2.2. Pleadings as is defined,under the provision of
Rule 1 Order VI CPC consist only of a plaint and a written
statement. The respondents£plaintiff could have filed a ·'
replication in respect to the plea raised in the written
statement, which if allowed by the court wo.uld have
D become the part of the pleadings, but mere non filing of
a replication does not and could not mean that there has
been admission of the facts pleaded in the written
statement. The specific objection in the form of denial was
raised in affidavits filed in respect of the injunction
E applications which were accepted on record by the Trial
Court and moreover the acceptance on record ofthe said
affidavit was neither challenged nor questioned by the
appellant. [Para 31] (1132-G-H; 1133;.A]
2.3. The legality and the validity of the Deed of Gift
F · was under challenge in the trial for which the parties l!ld
evidence and therefore, the proviso to. s.68 ·of the Act
would not become operative and functional. In such
cases, the document has to be proved in terms of s.68
of the Act. One of the two attesting witnesses to the said
G Deed of Gift viz. Ext. 82 admittedly had died. The other
attesting witness being alive could have been examined
to establish the legality of the Deed of Gift. But neither
was he exa_mined nor any reason was ~ssigned; by the
appellant for not examining him. Since both the attesting
H witnesses have not been examined, in terms of s.69 of
'
K. LAXMANAN v. THEKKA YIL PADMINI & ORS. 1123 .
the Act, it was incumbent upon the appellant to prove that A
the attestation of one attesting witness at least is in his
handwriting and ·that the signature of the person
executing the doc·ument is in the handwriting of that
person. OW 3, who was an identifying witness also in Ext
82, specifically stated ·that he had not signed as an ,B
identifying witness.in respect of Ext. 82 and also that he
did not kr'low about the signature in Ext. 82. Besides,
considering the nature of the document which was a '
Deed of Gift and even assuming that no pleading is filed ,
specifically denying the execution of the document by ,C
the executant and, therefore, there was no mandatory
requirement and obligation to get an attesting witness
examined but still the fact remains that the plaintiff never ,
admitted the execution of the gift deed and,· therefore, the
same was required to be proved like any other document.
[Paras 32 and 35] [1133-8-C, H; 1134-A-E]
0
Rosammal lssetheenammal Fernandez (Dead) by Lrs.
And Ors. v. Joosa Mariyan Fernandez and Ors. (2000) 7 SCC
· 189, relied on.
~
2.4. The person who was called to prove the
document himself said that he had not signed as an
identifying witness in respect of Ext. 82 and moreover he
stated that he did not know about the signature in Ex. 82.
The contents of the document were not proved as was
required fo be done. Taking all the factors into F
consideration and also noticing the fact that execution of
the Will, which was executed on the same day as that of
the Gift Deed, even the said document is found to be of
suspicious nature and therefore the said deed is also held
to be not duly proved. Consequently, no interference is ~
called for with the findings recorded by both the courts
below to the effect that the appellant has failed to prove
that the said deed of gift was executed by deceased. That
apart both the appellate .courts below tiave found that
H.
1124 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2008] 16 S.C.R.
A · both the documents. namely the Deed of G.ift as also· Deed
of Will suffer from suspicious circumstances .. The said . +-
findings are concurrent findings of fact which sh9uld not
be normally interfered with by the Court ~y exercising the
power under·Article.136 ·of the Constitution ·ofJndia •
.a [Paras 36.and 37] [1134-·F-H; 1135-A-B]. · "
Case Law Reference:
AIR (1964) SC 529 relied on Para 21
(1973) 3 sec 291 relied on Para 21
c
(2005) 1 sec 40 relied on Para 23
(2000) 1 sec 1s9 ·relied Qn Para 32
CIVILAPPELLATE JURISDICTION : Civii Appeal No.
D 7082 of 2008.
I
Frorn the final Judgment and Order dated 28.9.2006 of the
High Court'qfKerala at Ernakulam in SA No. 183of1992 (E).
K. Rajeev for the Appellant.
E
· A. Raghunath for the Respondents.
The Judgment of the Court was delivered by
_DR. MUKUNDAKAM SHARMA, J. 1. Leave granted.
F
·- 2. The Deed of Will and Gift are the bone qf contention
between.the parties in this appeal. Predecessor-h-interest of
the plaintiff and the fifth defendant is one Shri Chathu who had
three c:Jaughters arid a·son.He died in the year 1975 leaving
G behind him the ·aforesaid son.~nd·three;daughters and a
· number of properties. · ·
3. The present appellant was the contesting defendant
being the fifth d~fendant and is a son of Chathu. The respondent
H No.- 1 herein· is one of the daughte~s of Chathu and was the
K. LAXMANAN v. THEKKAYIL PADMINI & ORS. 1125
[DR MUKUNDAKAM SHARMA, J.]
plaintiff in the suit. The suit was filed by her after demise of A
crathu contending inter a/ia that the property left behind by
Chathu devolved upon the plaintiff and the defendants equally
and therefore they are entitled to one fourth share eaqh. In the
plaint, suit property was mentioned as item Nos. 1 to 12.
Subsequently, plaintiff also incorporated Item Nos. 13 and 14 B
in the plaint for division.
4. In the written statement filed by the pres'ent appellant,
he stated that items 1 to 3 in the plaint schedule property were
assigned in his favour by virtue of a document Ext. 81 and
items 13 and 14 were assigned in his favour by virtue of Ext. C
84. It was his further case that his father Chathu had executed
a gift deed on 26.04.1974, E_xt. 82, in his favour with respect
to items 4 and 5. Also, that h·is father Chathu had bequeathed
properties being item Nos. 6 to 8 and 10 to 12 by executing a
Will in his favpur on the same day. It was also pleaded that in D
the Will item Np.,9 was set apart to the share of.daughters and
therefore ttie prqp~r:t.ies descri_bed as items 1 to 8 and 1O to
-13 are not avail~ql~ !or divisio.n.
5. It was held by. the Trial Court that Ext. 82 which is a gift E
deed and Ext. 83 .which is a deed of Will had been properly
proved by defo'ndant No. 5- appellant herein and therefore, in
terms of Ext. 83 Will, the only item available for division is item
No. 9 of the plaint schedule property.
6. As against the said judgment and order passed by the F
Trial Court an appe13I was preferred by the plaintiff. The
AppeHate Court after hearing the parties passed the judgment
and order holding that items 1 to 3 and 13 to 14 are not
available for division w~ich are the properties covered by Ext.
81 and 84. However, so far as the other properties are G
concerned which are covered by Ext. 82 and 83, the Deed of
Gift and Deed of Will, it was held that the entire items mentioned
therein are available for division.
7. Being aggrieved by the said decision, a second appeal . H
1126 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2008] 16 S.C.R.
,
A was filed by the fifth defendant, which was heard by the High
+--
Court of Kerala: The High Court, however, dismissed the
second appeal by the impugned judgment and order which is
under challenge in this appeal.
8. It was held by the High Court that execution of both the
B
Deed of Will as also Deed of Gift are shrouded in mystery and
therefore it is the responsibility of the fifth defendant to dispel
the suspicious circumstances by adducing satisfactory
evidences. After appreciation of the materials available on
record, it was held that the Appellate Court was legal and
c justified in coming to a conclusion regarding the suspicious
r
t-
circumstances pertaining to execution of the Will and also
execution of the Deed of Gift and that the fifth defendant has \---
failed to. discharge the onus.
D 9. Narration of the aforesaid facts would thus clearly
establish that execution of the Gift Oeed and also of the Will
are held to be suspicious and the genuineness of the same was y
doubted by the first appellate court as also by the High Court. I-
~
That the appellant failed to dispel the suspicious circumstances I
~
E by adducing satisfactory evidences, was held, mainly on the ~
ground that the attesting witnesses to both the documents were
not examined.
~
10. Counsel appearing for the appellant by referring to the
provision of Section 68 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (for I
F short 'the Act') submitted before.us that examination of at least 4
,__
one of the attesting witnesses is mandatory only in the case of ·-
proving a Will and not in respect of proving any other document I-
like Gift Deed and therefore, both the two appellate courts
namely the First Appellate Court as also the High Court were
G n9t justified in placing the onus of proving both the documents ~-
)--
on the appellant. He also submitted that a registered· Gift Deed
need not be proved by examining an attesting witness inasmuch ...r
as the plaintiff admitted execution of the gift deed by not
specifically denying execution of the said gift deed in his
H pleadings.
K. LAXMANAN v. THEKKAYIL PADMINI & ORS. 1127
[DR MUKUNDAKAM SHARMA, J.]
11. He also submitted that even in respect of the Will, A
sufficient, strong and cogent reasons have been furnished by
the appellant for his inability to examine the attesting witnesses
which should have been accepted as a valid reason and by
accepting the same both the appellate courts should have held
that both the Deed of Will as also the Deed of Gift are genuine 8
and validly-executed documents and should have dismissed the
~ suit of the plaintiff in toto.
12. The aforesaid submissions of the counsel appearing
for the appellant were however refuted by the counsel appearing
for the respondent contending inter alia that Ext. 82 i.e. Gift C
Deed as also Ext. 83 i.e. the Deed of Will had not been proved
as per Section 68 of the Act to be used as evidence in any
court of law, and therefore, both the Appellate Courts were
justified in holding that the same cannot be accepted as
evidence in the present case. It was further submitted by him D
that the execution of the Gift Deed was specifically denied by
Y the respondent/plaintiff.
13. Having mentioned the factual position and arguments
advanced by the counsel appearing for the parties, we may now E
analyse the said factual position in the light of the legislative
provisions, judicial interpretation and evidence on record.
14. In the plaint, the respondent/plaintiff has pleaded that
on the death of the Chathu, who is predecessor-in-interest of
both plaintiff and contesting fifth defendant, the properties left F
i
behind by him have devolved upon the plaintiff and defendants
equally and therefore each one of them is entitled to one fourth
share. The properties that were incorporated in the schedule
of the plaint are items 1 to 14.
G
15. In the written statement filed by the contesting
defendant No. 5 who is the present appellant and son of Chathu,
it was claimed that items 1 to 3 in the plaint schedule property
were assigned to him by virtue of a document Ext. 81 and items
13 and 14 were assigned in his favour by virtue of Ext. 84. It H
1128 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2008] 16 S.C.R.
•
A was his further case that his father had executed a Gift Deed . ; .
Ext. 82 in his favour with respect to items 4 and 5, and
thereafter on .the very same day had executed a_Wi{in his ·
favour bequeathing properties in items,6 to 8 .and 10 to 12. He
however, pleaded that in the Will, item s'was set apart to the
B · share of the daughters and therefore the properties described
as.· items 1.to 8 and .10 to 13 are no.t available for division. N.o
replication was filed by the plaintiff as against the aforesaid 1
averments.
16. On the pleadings of the parties, eight issues were
c framed. Parties went to trial and adduced their evidence to
prove and establish their respective cases. The Trial Court on
consideration of the materials held that properties i.e. items 1
to 3, 13 and 14 are not available for division. Those properties t
were covered by Ext. 81 and 84. In respect of Ext. 82 and 83,
D the Trial Court held that·the ~aid documents have been duly
)-
proved and therefore only item available for division is item No. ~
9 of the plaint schedule property. ·y r
17. An appeal was preferred by the plaintiff against the
E aforesaid decision. The appellate court by its judgment held that ..
items 1 to 3, 13 and 14 are not available for division which are f
'
covered by Ext. B 1 and 84. So far as it relates to properties
covered by Ext. 82 and 83, the appellate court held that the i
entire items mentioned therein are available for division.
r
F 18. It is only as against the judgment and findings that the
~
items of property covered by Ext. 82 and 83 are available for
div.ision that the second appeal was preferred by the fifth t:
defendant in the High Court of Kerala. Therefore, the properties
covered by Ext. 81 and 84 namely items 1to3, 13 and 14 are r
G no longer in dispute and the conclusions a.rrived at by the first
appellate court that the said items are not available for division ,...
'.,
are final and binding on the parties. ~
\
19. What is in dispute and is open to further litigation are I
only the properties covered by Ext. 82 and 83 which were held ...~
H
K. LAXMANAN v. THEKKAYIL PADMINI & ORS. 1129
[DR. MUKUNDAKAM SHARMA, J.]
-+ by both the appellate courts to be available for division. Since A
we are concerned with the legality of execution of Deed of Will
and Deed of Gift, Section 68 of the Act would have some
relevance, which reads as follows:-
"68. Proof of execution of document required by law to B
be attested. - If a document is required by law to be
.,. attested, it shall not be used as evidence until one attesting
witness at least has been called for the purpose of proving
its execution, if there be an attesting witness alive, and
subject to the process of the Court and capable of giving
0
evidence.
Provided that it shall not be necessary to call an attesting
witness in proof of the execution of any document, not
being a Will, which has been registered in accordance with I
the provisions of the Indian Registration Act, 1908 (16 of D-
1908), unless its execution by the person by whom it
y purports to have been executed is specifically denied."
20. Strong reliance was placed on this provision also by
the learned counsel appearing for the parties. A bare reading
E
of the aforesaid provision will make it crystal clear that so far
as a Deed of Will is concerned, the position in law is no longer
in doubt for the onus of proving the Will is on the propounder.
The propounder has to prove the legality of the execution and
genuineness of the said Will by proving absence of suspicious
F
circumstances surrounding the said Will and also by proving
the testamentary capacity and the signature of the testator. Once
the same is proved, it could be said that the propounder has
discharged the onus.
21. When there are suspicious circumstances regarding G
the execution of the Will, the onus is also on the propounder to
explain them to the satisfaction of the Court and only when such
responsibility is discharged, the Court would accept the Will as
genuine. Even where there are no such pleas, but
circumstances give rise to doubt, it is on the propounder to H
.,.
)
1130 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2008] 16 S.C.R. ·
A satisfy the conscience of the Court. Suspicious circumstances .~
arise due to several reasons such as with regard to.
genuineness of the signature of the testator, the conditions of
the testator's mind, the dispositions made in the Will being
unnatural, improbable or unfair in the light of relevant
B circumstances or there might be other indications in the Will to
show that the testator's mind was not free. In such a case, the
Court would naturally expect that all legitimate suspicion should
-v
be completely removed. before the document is accepted as
the last Will of the testator. The aforesaid view is taken by us
c in consonance with the decision of this Court in Shashi Kumar
Banerjee v. Subodh Kumar Banerjee [AIR 1964 SC 529] and
Pushpavathi v. Chandraraja Kadamba [(1973) 3 SCC 291].
\-
22. So far as Section 68 of the Act is concerned, it .
categorically provides that a Wiii is required to be attested and
D therefore, it cannot be used as evidence until at least one of
the attesting witnesses is called for the purpose of proving its
execution provided such attesting witness is alive, and subject y
to the process of the court and capable of giving evidence.
E 23. In the present case the scribe and qne of the attesting
witnesses to the Will namely Vasu died before the date of
examination of the witnesses. The second attesting witness
namely Gopalan was also not in good physical con,dition
inasmuch as neither was he able to speak nor was he able to
F move, the fact which is proved by the deposition of the doctor
examined as DW2. Consequently, as the execution of the Will
. cannot be proved by leading primary evidence, the propounder
i.e. the appellant herein was required to lead secondary
evidence in order to discharge his onus of proving the Will as
held by this Court to be permissible in Dau/at Ram v. Sodha
G
[(2005) 1 sec 40].
24. The only evidence led by appellant - propounder to t
prove the execution of the Will was by examining DW-4, the son
of attesting witness Moolampalli Gopalan and by examining
H Kolayath Mammed who was an identifying witness to Ext. 83
K. LAXMANAN v. THEKKAYIL PADMINI & ORS. 1131
[DR. MUKUN-DAKAM SHARMA, J.]
Will. DW-4 though deposed that the signatures of attesting A
witness on Ext. 83 are of his father but, however, he did not
state that his father was an attesting witness in respect of Ext.
83. On the other hand OW 3 stated that though he knew
deceased Chathu but on that day he went to the office of the
sub-Registrar as an identifying witness for someone else. In his B
entire deposition there was not even a slightest indication to
'1
the fact that he had witnessed the execution of Ext. 83.
25. Moreover, no attempt was made by the appellant to
prove and establish the mental and physical condition of the
testator at the time of execution. Rather the respondent has c
proved that Chathu, the father of the appellant, was at the time
of the alleged execution of the Deed of Will was 82 years of
age and he was suffering from serious physical ailments and
was not mentally in a good state of mind.
D
26. As against the said evidence led, the evidence led by
'y
the appellant cannot be said to be sufficient to satisfy the Court
regarding the genuineness and valid execution of the Will. It was
also found as a matter of fact by the two appellate courts that
there was ocean of difference between the signatures of
E
Chathu put on each and every page. In view of the aforesaid
suspicious circumstances brought on record regarding the
execution of the Will and the same having not been proved in
accordance with law, we find no reason to take a different view
than what is taken by the first appellate court as also by the High
F
Court so far as it concerns the Deed of Will.
27. This leaves us with the responsibility of considering the
legality of execution of the Deed of Gift. Incidentally, the said
Deed of Gift was also executed on the same day as that of the
Will which was held to be not proved and established in G
accordance with law and was discarded by both the appellate
• courts.
28. Execution of the aforesaid Deed of Gift is also under
, challenge. The attesting witnesses to the said Deed of Gift are
H
1132 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2008] 16 S.C.R.
A also not examined. It was, however, submitted that the
,L'
mandatory requirement of examining an attesting witness under
section 68 of the Act is only in respect of a Will and in respect
of Gift Deed, if execution of the said is not specifically denied,
then in that case there is no obligation on the part of the
B propounder of the Deed of Gift to prove the execution by
examining an attesting witness like that of a Deed of Will.
29. It is true that in the .present case the pleadings ~
regarding the execution of-the Deed of Gift were stated for the
first time in the written statement by the fifth defendant, who
c pleaded that the ordinary process of inheritance and
succession would not apply in the present case in respect of
properties in item 4 and 5 as a Deed of Gift was executed in
his favour.
D 30. It is however established in the present case that the
issue of validity of the execution of both the Qeed of Gift and
Deed of Will was taken up by the respondenUplaintiff and
'(
specifically denied in the affidavits fiied in respect of the
injunction applications. The parties have also gone to trial
E knowing fully well that execution of both these documents is
under challenge. Parties knowing fully the aforesaid factual
position led their evidence also to establish the legality and
. validity of both the documents. In that view of the matter, it
cannot be said that the said document should be deemed to
be admitted by the plaintiff as no replication was filed by the
F
plaintiff.
31. Pleadings as we understand under the Code of Civil
Procedure (for short the "Code") and as is defined under the
provision of Rule 1 Order VI of the Code consist only of a plaint
.G and a written statement. The respondents/plaintiff could have
filed a replication in respect to the plea raised in the written
statement, which if allowed by the court would have become + .....
the part of the pleadings, but mere non filing of a replication
does not and could not mean that there has been admission
H of the facts pleaded in the written statement. The specific
K. LAXMANAN v. THEKKAYIL PADMINI & ORS. 1133
[DR. MUKUNDAKAM SHARMA, J.]
objection in the form of denial was raised in affidavits filed in A
respect of the injunction applications which were accepted on
record by the Trial Court and moreover the acceptance on
record of the said affidavit was neither challenged nor
questioned by the present appellant.
B
32. The legality and the validity of the said Deed of Gift
was under challenge in the trial for which the parties have led
evidence and therefore in the present case tfie--proviso to
Section 68 of the Act does not become operative and
functional. In such cases, the document has to be proved in G
terms of Section 68 of the Act. In this regard, we may
appropriately refer to decision of this Court in Rosammal
lssetheenammal Fernandez (Dead) by Lrs. And Ors. v. Joosa
Mariyan Fernandez and Ors. [(2000) 7 SCC 189], wherein it
was held as under:-
D
7 .......... ln considering this question, whether there is any
denial or not, it should not be casually considered as such
finding has very important bearing on the admissibility of
a document which has important bearing on the rights of
both the parties ..... It must also take into consideration the ~
pleadings of the parties which has not been done in this
case. Pleading is the first stage where a party takes up
its stand in respect of facts which they plead .........
x x x x x
F
11. Under the proviso to Section 68 the obligation to
produce at .least one attestihg witness stands.withdrawn
if the execution of any such document, not being a will
which is registered, is not specifically denied. Therefore,
everything hinges on the recording of this fact of such G
denial. If there is no specific denial, the proviso comes into
play but if there is denial, the proviso will not apply ......:."
33. The two attesting witnesses to the said Deed of Gift ·
viz. Ext. 82 are K.T. Vasu and Urulummal Ukkappan. K.T. Vasu
H
1134 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2008] 16 S.C.R.
A admittedly had died whereas Urulummal Ukkappan was alive.
Urulummal Ukkappan being alive could have been examined
in the present case to establish the legality of the Deed of Gift.
But neither was he examined nor any reason was assigned by
the appellant fOi not examining him.
B
34. Since both the attesting witnesses have not been
examined, in terms of Section 69 of the Act it was incumbent
upon the appellant to prove that the attestation of one. attesting ·~
witness at least is in his handwriting and that the signature of
C the person executing the document is in the handwriting of that
person. OW 3, who was an identifying witness also in Ext 82,
specifically stated that he had not signed as an identifying
witness in respect of Ext. 82 and also that he did not know about
the signature in Ext. 82.
D 35. Besides, considering the nature of the document which
was a Deed of Gift and even assuming that no pleading is filed
specifically denying the execution of the document by the
executant and, therefore, there was no mandatory requirement
and obligation to get an attesting witness examined but still the
E fact remains that the plaintiff never admitted the execution of
the gift deed and, therefore, the same was required to be proved
like any other document.
36. In the present case, the person who was called to prove
the document himself said that he had not signed as an
F identifying witness in respect of Ext. 82 and moreover he stated
that he did not know about the signature in Ex. 82. The contents
of the document were not proved as was required to be done.
Taking all the factors as stated hereinbefore into consideration
and also noticing the fact that execution qf the Will, which was
G executed on the same day as that of the Gift Deed, we hold
that even the said document is found to be of suspicious nature
and therefore the said deed is also held to be not duly proved.
37. Consequently, no interference is called for to the
H findings recorded by both the appellate courts below to 'the
K. LAXMANAN v. THEKKAYIL PADMINI & ORS. 1135
[DR. MUKUNDAKAM SHARMA, J.]
effect that the appellant has failed to prove that the said deed A
of gift was executed by deceased Chathu. That apart both the
appellate courts below have found that both the documents
namely the Deed of Gift as also Deed of Will suffer from
suspicious circumstances. The said findings are concurrent
findings of fact which should not be normally interfered with by B
the Court by exercising the power under Article 136 of the
Constitution of India.
38. In that view of the matter, we find no reason to interfere
with the findings arrived at by the High Court. The appeal has· C
no merit and is dismissed. However, there shall be no order
as to costs.
S.K.S. Appeal dismissed.
I
( ~
Search Indian case law
Ask in plain English, not just keywords. 25,000 AI words free, no card.
Try "Will"Sign in to search