IN THE COURT OF THE XII ADDITIONAL CHIEF JUDGE
CITY CIVIL COURT: AT: SECUNDERABAD
THURSDAY THIS THE SIXTH DAY OF JUNE, 2019
Present:P.Chandra Sekhara Prasad, XII Additional Chief Judge, City Civil Court, Secunderabad.
OS No.78 of 2012
Between:
1. Kasturi Vijaya Lakshmi, W/o Kasturi Laxminarsaiah, D/o Dusa Laxmaiah, aged about 50 years, Housewife, R/o H.No.131239, Mettewada, Warangal District,
2. Chilivery Sharufa @ Shantha, W/o Chilivery Umashanker, D/o Dusa Laxmaiah, aged about 47 years, Housewife, R/o Type ‘4’ , 501B, NH4, BHEL, Ramachandrapuram, Medak District,
3. Panuganti Kasturi, W/o Panuganti Poorna Chander, D/o Dusa Laxmaiah, aged about 40 years, Housewife, R/o Flat No.501, Parimala Homes4, Above Spencer Super Market, Road No.10, Chaitanyapuri, Dilsukhnagar, Hyderabad,
4. Gopa Padmaja, W/o Gopa Anand Kumar, D/o Dusa Laxmaiah, aged about 37 years, Housewife, R/o H.No.1920/A, Flat No.211, Kartik Apartment, Ramnagar, Hyderabad, …Plaintiffs
And
1. Dusa Krishna, S/o Laxmaiah, Aged about 54 years, Railway Employee,
2. Dusa Vinesh, S/o Krishna, Aged about 23 years, Private Employee,
3. Dusa Praveen, S/o Krishna, Aged about 22 years, Private Employee,
4. Dusa Rahul, S/o Krishna, Aged about 21 years, Student,
5. Dusa Vanaja, D/o Krishna, Aged about 24 years, Student ,
All are R/o H.No.12111111,
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Warasiguda, Secunderabad, …Defendants
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This suit coming before me on 03.05.2019 for final hearing in the presence of Sri.D.Madhava Rao, Advocate for the plaintiffs; and of Sri.R.Yogender Singh,advocate for the defendants; and upon perusing the material papers on record and on hearing and having stood over for consideration till this day, this Court delivered the following:
:: J U D G M E N T::
1.This is a suit filed by the plaintiffs against the defendants for partition and separate possession of the suit schedule properties and for cancellation of registered gift deeds document Nos.1477/2009, 1478/2009, 1479/2009 and 1480/2009 dated 12.08.2009.
The averments of the plaint in brief are, as follows:
The plaintiffs and the defendants are joint owners and possessors of the suit schedule properties i.e., plot Nos.d/35 and d/36 in Sy.No.168, bearing Municipal No.12111111, admeasuring 382 square yards, situated at Warasiguda,
Secunderabad500 061. The plaintiffs are sisters of the 1st defendant and that the defendants 2 to 4 are sons and the 5th defendant is daughter of the 1st defendant. Dusa Laxmaiah, who is father of the plaintiffs and 1st defendant, had purchased the suit schedule property in the name of his wifeNarasamma under a registered sale deed document No.1366/1968 dated 24.06.1968 from its previous owner Mohd.Ghaisuddin Khan,
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S/o Haji Mohd Waris Khan for a valuable sale consideration and thereafter, he has constructed RCC building in said premise. He has also purchased 26 tulas of gold to his wife.
During their life time, parents of the plaintiff and 1st defendant performed marriages of their children as per Hindu customs and their parents promised to give share in the properties.
Their father died on 15.03.2008 by leaving his wife and children as his successors. Their mother also died on 27.07.2011, due to ill health. After attending 1st month ceremony of their mother, the plaintiffs asked the 1st defendant to give share in the property and gold ornaments, for which he refused stating that he is vacating the premises as death time was bad on the advice of pandiths and after six months he will call and decide the matter. Six months thereafter, the plaintiffs asked the 1st defendant for partition of property, in presence of elders and community people. But, the defendants refused to give share. On 14.02.2012, the plaintiffs got issued legal notice to the 1st defendant and on receipt of the same; he got issued reply notice stating that their mother executed gift settlement deeds in favour of the defendants 1 to 4. Dusa Narsamma executed gift settlement deed document No.1479/2009 dated 12.08.2009 in favour of the 1st defendant to an extent of 82 square yards, gift settlement deed document No.1477/2009
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dated 12.08.2009 in favour of the 2nd defendant to an extent of
100 square yards, gift settlement deed document
No.1478/2009 dated 12.08.2009 in favour of the 3rd defendant to an extent of 100 square yards and a gift settlement deed document No.1480/2009 dated 12.08.2009 in favour of the 4th defendant to an extent of 100 square yards, out of 382 square yards. The plaintiffs are not parties to said gift settlement deeds and as such they are null, void and not binding on the plaintiffs. In the month of October, 2012, the plaintiffs demanded the defendants to affect the partition of the suit schedule property, but, they bluntly refused. Hence, the suit.
2.On receipt of summons, the 1st defendant has appeared and filed written statement by denying the plaint averments. He denied that the plaintiffs are joint owners and possessors of the suit schedule property. It is admitted about the relationship of the parties, date of death of their parents. The property was purchased by their motherNarasamma with her savings. It is denied that the suit schedule property and gold was purchased by their father in the name of their mother. It is admitted that the marriages of the plaintiffs were performed during life time of their parents. It is denied that their father assured to give share to the plaintiffs. At the time of marriage of the 3rd plaintiff, their
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father fell down and during his sick period, the defendants alone looked after him and the plaintiffs never visited to see him. In the year, 1981, the 1st defendant joined in service, and also contributed amounts to perform marriages of the plaintiffs 3 and 4. Subsequent to death of Laxmaiah, Narsamma out of love and affection gave 82 square yards to the 1st defendant, 100 square yards each to the defendants 2 to 4 under registered gift deeds and the same is in the knowledge of plaintiffs and everyone in the locality. They became absolute owners and the plaintiffs have no manner of right over the same. No gold is lying with the defendants. On receipt of notice
dated 14.02.2012, the defendants got issued reply stating
about execution of gift deeds in favour of defendnts1 to 4. Since it is selfacquired property of Narsamma, she has every right to execute gift deeds in favour of the defendants 1 to 4. The plaintiffs ought to have pay court fee under Section 34 (1) instead of 34 (2) of Andhra Pradesh Court Fee and Suit
Valuation Act, 1956. Hence, prayed to dismiss the suit with exemplary costs.
3.On appearance, the defendants 2 to 5 have filed a memo on 22.08.2012, by adopting the written statement of the 1st defendant.
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4.Basing on the said pleadings, the following issues are settled for trial:
1. Whether the suit property was purchased by
Dusa Laxmaiah in the name of his wife –
Dusa Narsamma?
2. Whether the gift settlement deeds alleged to
have been executed by the late Dusa
Narsamma are null and void?
3. Whether the plaintiffs are entitled for
partition of the suit schedule property?
4. To what relief?
5.During course of trial, on behalf of the plaintiffs, P.Ws1 and 2 were examined and A1 to A15 were exhibited. On behalf of the defendants, D.W1 was examined and no documents were exhibited. This court heard the arguments on both sides.
The learned counsel appearing for the defendants also field written arguments.
6.ISSUE No.1:It is not in dispute that the plaintiffs are the sisters and the defendants 2 to 5 are children of the 1st defendant. It is also not in dispute that their fatherDusa
Laxmaiah died on 15.03.2008 and their motherDusa
Narsamma died on 27.07.2011, which is also evident by death certificates (Ex.A10 and A11).
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7.It is also not in dispute that originally, the suit schedule property i.e., plot Nos.d/35 and d/36 in Sy.No.168, bearing
Municipal No.12111111, admeasuring 382 square yards, situated at Warasiguda, Secunderabad500 061 was purchased under a registered sale deed document No.1366/1968 dated 24.06.1968 from its previous owner Mohd.Ghaisuddin Khan,
S/o Haji Mohd Waris Khan, in the name of Dusa Narasamma and thereafter RCC building was constructed in said premise.
Ex.A1 is the certified copy of said sale deed. Ex.A12 is the encumbrance certificate and Ex.A13 to A15 are the market value certificates.
8. The plaintiffs have filed the present suit for partition claiming share in the suit schedule property stating that their father had purchased the suit schedule property under a registered sale deed document No.1366/1968 dated 24.06.1968 in the name of their motherDusa Narsamma and that they being legal heirs are entitled for share in the suit schedule property.
9.Per contra, the contention of the defendants is that the suit schedule property is selfacquired property of their mother
Dusa Narsamma and as such she is having right to execute
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registered gift deeds in favour of the defendants 1 to 4 in respect of the suit schedule property and that the plaintiffs have no right over the suit schedule property.
10.Now, it is to be seen, whether the suit schedule property was purchased by their fatherDusa Laxmaiah in the name of his wifeDusa Narsamma or whether it is selfacquired property of their motherDusa Narasamma.
11.On behalf of the plaintiffs, the 1st plaintiff was examined as P.W1. She has filed an affidavit in lieu of her chief examination, as contemplated under OrderXVIII, Rule4 (1) of
CPC. Her evidence is nothing but replica of plaint pleadings.
12.It is in the evidence of P.W1 that their father was working in railways, since 1954 or 1955 and that their maternal side was in poor financial condition and that their mother was home maker. Ongoing through the entire crossexamination of P.W1, it is clear that no suggestion was put to P.W1, by the learned counsel for the defendants to the effect that the suit schedule property is the selfacquired property of Narsamma and that it is not the property of Laxmaiah. More particularly there is no crossexamination regarding financial status of Narsamma.
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13.From the evidence on record, it is an undisputed fact that
Dusa Narsamma was household lady and that she was not doing any job. When the plaintiffs have categorically contended that their fatherLaxmaiah purchased the suit schedule property in the name of his wifeNarsamma, the defendants ought to have adduced evidence to show the source of income of Narsamma and her capacity to purchase the suit schedule property.
14.On the other hand, on behalf of the plaintiff, K.Saraswathi, who is none other than cousin of Dusa Laxmaiah, was examined as P.W2. She is aged about 83 years. She deposes that her fatherDusa Mallaiah and Dusa Laxmaiah are real brothers. Her evidence reveals that Dusa Laxmaiah was a carpenter and worked in SC railways, at Kazipet and Kachiguda and that around 1950, Dusa Laxmaiah married Dusa
Narsamma and he got job in the year 1956. She categorically deposes that she witnessed the wedding of Dusa Laxmaiah and
Dusa Narasamma and that no gold or gifts were given to Dusa
Narsamma and that their uncleDusa Vittalaiah had incurred entire marriage expenditure, as parents of Dusa Narsamma were very poor.
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15.It is in the evidence of P.W2 that Dusa Laxmaiah purchased the suit schedule property in the name of Dusa
Narsamma, with his earning of his employment and that her father was the witness to said document. She further deposes that her cousinDusa Laxmaiah constructed entire structure in the said plot and that the entire sale consideration was paid by
Dusa Laxmaiah.
16.P.W2 admitted that she did not file any document to prove that D.Laxmaiah had purchased the suit schedule property with his own income. P.W2 is not party to the suit proceedings. Be the case, no one can expect that P.W2 has to file a document to prove that D.Laxmaiah had purchased the suit schedule property with his own income. P.W2 denied the suggestions that the contents of her chief examination are false and that she is deposing false. Admittedly, P.W2 is close relative of the both the parties. Nothing has been elicited to show that P.W2 is interested in the plaintiffs.
17.Except above three vague suggestions nothing has been elicited to impeach the testimony of P.W2. Further, no suggestion was put to P.W2, by the counsel for the defendants that it is selfacquired property of Dusa Narsamma and that she purchased the same with her own savings. Absolutely,
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there is no crossexamination regarding financial capacity of
Dusa Narsamma.
18.D.W1 deposes in his chiefexamination that his mother purchased the suit schedule property with her stridhan and savings during her life time and as their family was big, her mother used to work from home by stitching cloths and she was getting substantial income. But, the pleadings of the defendants are silent that Dusa Narsamma got stridhan from her parents and that she used to earn by stitching cloths. Even in the written arguments, the defendants did not whisper about the asserted stridhan of Dusa Narsamma. It is an improved version which is not find place in the pleadings of the defendants. Therefore, there is no need to consider the said aspects of stridhan and earning on asserted stitching of cloths.
19.D.W1 deposes in his crossexamination that he does not know what was given to her mother at the time of her marriage.
He deposes that his mother was not given any immovable properties on her wedding and that she was housewife. Even these aspects are clear enough that Dusa Narsamma was not having any source of income and that nothing was given to her by her parents at the time of her marriage.
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20.D.W1 deposes that his mother told him that the property under Ex.A1 was purchased for Rs.4,000/. But, Ex.A1 reveals that the total consideration was Rs.1,000/ only. The evidence of D.W1 is contrary to the contents of Ex.A1.
21.Once, the above aspects are not believable and as there is no whisper as to how Dusa Narasamma saved money and what was her source of income, in the pleadings of the defendants, it is not safe to believe the version of the defendants. As matter of fact, all most all the contents of chiefexamination affidavit of
D.W1 are improved version, which are not find place in their pleadings.
22.Simply because the suit schedule property is in the name of Dusa Narsamma, it cannot be taken for granted that it is her selfacquired property, more particularly in absence of any iota of evidence to show source of income of Dusa Narsamma. It is well known to everybody, in our society most of the people used to purchase properties in the name of wife. Further, many people feel it is tradition and to see that their wives should feel secured. Similarly, Dusa Laxmaiah also might be purchased in the name of his wifeDusa Narsamma.
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23.Ongoing through the material on record, this Court is of the view that the evidence of D.W1 did not inspire confidence of this court on any aspect. Hence, this Court is not inclined to accept the version of the defendants that the suit schedule property is the selfacquired property of Dusa Narsamma.
24.Under these circumstances, this Court has no hesitation to conclude that the defendants have miserably failed to establish that the suit schedule property is the selfacquired property of Dusa Narsamma. On the other hand, there is nothing to disbelieve the contention of the plaintiffs that their fatherDusa Laxmaiah purchased the suit schedule property under Ex.A1 in the name of his wifeDusa Narsamma.
25.The learned counsel appearing for the plaintiffs have placed reliance on a citation in Cheedella Padmavathi (Died)
per LRs. And others V. Cheedella Lashminarasimha Rao
(died) per LRs. And others reported in 2015 (5) ALT 634, wherein it was held that “in the absence of pleadings, any evidence produced by parties generally cannot be considered”.
26.As stated above, admittedly, the defendants did not take plea that their motherDusa Narasamma got stridhan from her parents and that she used to earn money by stitching cloths in
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home. Therefore, the evidence of D.W1 regarding asserted stridhan and stitching of cloths by their mother cannot be taken into consideration and is unbelievable.
27.In Cheedella Padmavathicase as referred supra, it was further held that “Rules of justice require that the party cross examining must put the crucial and important part of his case to the witness of the other side in his crossexamination with regard to a certain fact challenging the same, then such fact has to be presumed to be true”.
28.In the instant case on hand also, the defendants have failed to put suggestions on crucial and important aspects of their case to P.Ws1 and 2, as already stated above. Since no questions are put to P.Ws1 and 2, whether the suit schedule property is self acquired property of Dusa Narasamma or Dusa
Laxmaiah, it has to be presumed that the suit schedule property is the selfacquired property of Dusa Laxmaiah and that he purchased the same in the name of his wifeDusa
Narasamma.
29.The defendants contend in their written arguments that the burden lies upon the person who asserts that a particular property is joint family property to establish that fact. They
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have relied upon a citation in Rukma Bai V. Lakshminarayana reported in 1960 AIR SC 335
30.In Rukma Bai case referred supra, it was also held that “but if he proves that there was sufficient joint family nucleus from and out of which the said property could have been acquired, the burden shifts to the member of the family setting up the claim that it is his personal property to establish that the said property has been acquired without any assistance from the joint family property”.
31.In the case on hand, the plaintiffs have clearly shown that their father was an employee and that their mother has no mean or capacity to purchase the property and thereby the plaintiffs have established that the suit schedule property is their joint family property. Further, the burden is shifted on the defendants who set up their claim that it is the selfacquired property of their motherDusa Narsamma.
32.There cannot be any dispute that initial burden is on the plaintiffs to show that the property is joint family property and then it shifts on the defendants to show that the same was not purchased from out of the joint family nucleus and it was
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purchased independent of them as held in Cheedella
Padmavathi case, referred supra.
33.In the instant case, the plaintiffs are able to discharge their initial burden to show that the suit property is their joint family property. But, the defendants have failed to discharge their burden that the suit schedule property was purchased by their motherDusa Narasamma with her own savings.
34.P.W2 who is none other than cousin of their fatherDusa
Laxmaiah is a material witness, supported the case of the plaintiffs that her cousinDusa Laxmaiah purchased the suit schedule property in the name of his wifeDusa Narasamma.
35.The contention of the 1st defendant is that he has contributed amounts for the marriages of plaintiffs 3 and 4.
P.W1 deposes in her crossexamination that the 1st defendant started earning from 1984. Except selfserving testimony there is nothing to believe the contention of the 1st defendant.
According to the plaintiffs, their motherDusa Narsamma was having gold ornaments. The defendants contend that no gold is lying with them. The plaintiffs have failed to place any convincing evidence to show that their mother’s gold was lying with the defendants.
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36.It is not in dispute that after death of their parents, on 14.02.2012, the plaintiffs got issued legal notice to the defendants and that on receipt of notice, the defendant got issued reply notice on 21.02.2012 which is also evident by office copy of legal notice (Ex.A6), postal receipt (Ex.A7), postal acknowledgment card (Ex.A8) and reply notice (Ex.A9).
Mere issuance of reply notice will not render any help to the case of the defendants.
37.In view of the citations referred supra and facts of the case on hand, this Court has no hesitation to conclude that the defendants have miserably failed to establish their case that the suit schedule property is the selfacquired property of their motherDusa Narsamma. On the other hand, the plaintiffs have clearly established their case that the suit schedule property was purchased by their fatherDusa Laxmaiah, in the name of his wifeDusa Narasamma, beyond preponderance of all probabilities. Hence, this issue is answered in favour of the plaintiffs and against the defendants.
38.ISSUE No.2: The plaintiffs have filed the suit for partition and to declare the registered gift deeds executed by Dusa
Narasamma in favour of the defendants 1 to 4 as null and void and not binding on the plaintiffs. Admittedly, Dusa Narasamma
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died on 27.07.2011. It is not in dispute that, Dusa Laxmaiah died intestate, in respect of the suit schedule property.
Therefore, all the legal heirs are having share in the suit schedule property. The plaintiffs being daughters and the 1st defendant being son of Dusa Laxmaiah are having equal shares in the suit schedule property.
39.It is not in dispute that Dusa Narsamma executed gift settlement deed document No.1479/2009 dated 12.08.2009 in favour of the 1st defendant to an extent of 82 square yards, gift settlement deed document No.1477/2009 dated 12.08.2009 in favour of the 2nd defendant to an extent of 100 square yards, gift settlement deed document No.1478/2009 dated 12.08.2009 in favour of the 3rd defendant to an extent of 100 square yards and a gift settlement deed document No.1480/2009 dated 12.08.2009 in favour of the 4th defendant to an extent of 100 square yards, out of 382 square yards, which is also evident by certified copies of gift deeds (Ex.A2 to A5).
40.In view of findings and conclusions on the above issue
No.1, Dusa Narasamma was not absolute owner of the suit schedule property and she has no right to execute gift deeds in favour of the defendants 1 to 4. Therefore, the said registered
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gift deeds (Ex.A2 to A5) are null and void and not binding on the plaintiffs.
41.Even though the plaintiffs sought relief for declaration, they did not pay court fee and they are liable to pay the same as required under the law. The office is directed to issue check slip to the plaintiffs to pay required court fee for the said relief within ONE month from this day. Failing which, the suit for the said relief of declaration shall stand dismissed. Accordingly, this issue is answered.
42.ISSUE No.3:In view of findings and conclusions on the above issues, the plaintiffs are entitled for partition and separate possession of the suit schedule property except the schedule regarding gold ornaments. Accordingly, this issue is answered in favour of the plaintiffs and against the defendants.
43.ISSUE No.4:In view of findings and conclusions on the above issues, the plaintiffs are entitled for the reliefs sought for.
Accordingly, this issue is answered in favour of the plaintiffs and against the defendants.
IN THE RESULT:The suit of the plaintiffs is decreed as under;
1.A preliminary decree is passed for partition of the suit schedule property into five equal shares
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by allotting 1/5th share each to the plaintiffs and the 1st defendant;
2.The claim in respect of gold ornaments is dismissed.
3.The registered gift deeds (Ex.A2 to A5) documents i.e., gift settlement deed document No.1479/2009 dated 12.08.2009 of the 1st defendant to an extent of 82 square yards, gift settlement deed document No.1477/2009 dated 12.08.2009 of the 2nd defendant to an extent of 100 square yards, gift settlement deed document No.1478/2009 dated 12.08.2009 of the 3rd defendant to an extent of 100 square yards and gift settlement deed document No.1480/2009 dated 12.08.2009 of the 4th defendant to an extent of 100 square yards, executed by Dusa Narsamma are null and void and not binding on the plaintiff, subject to pay required Court fee for the said relief;
4.The Office is directed to issue check slip to the plaintiff, to pay required Court fee within in ONE month from this day, for the relief of declaration. Failing which the suit for said relief shall stand dismissed.
5.Further, Office is directed to prepare preliminary decree after paying such deficit Court fee by the plaintiffs;
6.Equities, if any, shall be worked out in the final decree proceedings;
7.However, both parties are directed to bear their own costs.
Typed to my dictation, corrected and pronounced by me, in the open court, on this the 6 th day of June, 2019.
XII Additional Chief Judge City Civil Court, Secunderabad
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::APPENDIX OF EVIDENCE::
WITNESSES EXAMINED ON BEHALF OF PLAINTIFFS
P.W1Kasturi Vijayalakshmi 01.09.2016 P.W2K.Saraswathi28.12.2018
WITNESSES EXAMINED ON BEHALF OF DEFENDANTS
D.W1Dusa Krishna 16.04.2019
DOCUMENTS EXHIBITED ON BEHALF OF PLAINTIFFS
Ex.A1Certified Copy of sale deed document24.06.1968 No.1366/1968
Ex.A2Certified Copy of Gift Deed document12.08.2099 No.1477/2009
Ex.A3Certified Copy of Gift Deed document12.08.2099 No.1478/2009
Ex.A4Certified Copy of Gift Deed document12.08.2099 No.1479/2009
Ex.A5Certified Copy of Gift Deed document12.08.2099 No.1480/2009
Ex.A6Office copy of Legal Notice14.02.2012 Ex.A7Postal Receipt 14.02.2012 Ex.A8Postal Acknowledgment Card 16.02.2012 Ex.A9Reply Notice 21.02.2012 Ex.A10Death Certificate of Laxmaiah 01.03.2012 Ex.A11Death Certificate of Narsamma 29.02.2012 Ex.A12Encumbrance Certificate 02.02.2012 Ex.A13Market Value Certificate 13.03.2012 Ex.A14Market Value Certificate 13.03.2012 Ex.A15Market Value Certificate 13.03.2012
DOCUMENTS EXHIBITED ON BEHALF OF DEFENDANTS
Nil
XII Additional Chief Judge City Civil Court, Secunderabad