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N.D Samant (After Him) Satyabhama Debi & Others v. Kumari Jayashree Roy & Others .

Orissa High Court
Jan 24, 1989
Smart Summary (Beta)

Structured Summary of the Opinion (S.C. Mohapatra, J.)

Factual and Procedural Background

This appeal was filed by the defendant under Section 299 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925 against the grant of letters of administration in respect of a Will (Ext. 10) dated 12-2-1972 executed in Telugu by Kamalnath Roy in favour of his daughter, the plaintiff (Jayashree / Kumari Jayasree Roy). The Will (English translation accepted by the trial court and not disputed before this Court) disposed of monies on deposit in the State Bank of India, Jeypore and compensation due from the Estates Abolition Tribunal, Srikakulam.

Procedurally: the plaintiff applied under Section 278 of the Act for letters of administration with the Will annexed. Citations were issued under Section 283(1)(e); the defendant lodged a caveat under Section 284(1) and contested genuineness of the Will in written statement. The proceeding for letters of administration was registered and heard as a suit under Section 295 of the Act. The trial court accepted the Will as genuine and granted relief; the defendant appealed. The appeal was earlier heard and disposed of by a Division Bench in N.D. Samant v. Kumari Jayasree Roy, but that judgment was reviewed and vacated; the appeal was again heard and is disposed of by the present judgment. The appeal is dismissed.

Legal Issues Presented

  1. Whether the Will (Ext. 10) was duly executed by Kamalnath in his own hand (i.e., whether the document was written by him and properly attested).
  2. Whether Kamalnath had testamentary capacity at the time of execution despite suffering a paralytic stroke (i.e., whether he was of sound mind and knew what he was doing when making the Will).
  3. Whether the suspicious circumstances alleged by the caveator (defendant) — including the testator's illness and alleged inability to write — were satisfactorily explained by the propounder (plaintiff) and the evidence on record.
  4. Whether the trial court's factual findings accepting the Will should be interfered with on appeal.

Arguments of the Parties

Plaintiff's (Propounder) Case

  • Applied under Section 278 for letters of administration with the Will annexed, claiming that Kamalnath executed the Will on 12-2-1972 in favour of his daughter out of love and affection.
  • Asserted that the Will disposed of bank deposits amounting to Rs. 73,393.63 paise and compensation of Rs. 79,618.79 paise (deposited with the Estates Abolition Tribunal, Srikakulam).
  • Adduced evidence: plaintiff examined six witnesses and proved eleven documents, including the Will (Ext. 10). PW3 and PW4 were attestors; PW5 (the plaintiff herself) and PW2 (a son of the testator) supported the account that the testator wrote the Will and continued to operate banking transactions.
  • Relied on contemporaneous statements (including the Will itself stating paralysis limited writing) and conduct (PW2 assisted with bank payment) to show genuineness and lack of undue influence.

Defendant's (Caveator) Case

  • Lodged a caveat under Section 284(1) and filed a written statement alleging the Will is not genuine.
  • Asserted that Kamalnath had suffered a paralytic stroke before the date of the alleged Will and therefore was not able to write or sign properly.
  • Challenged the conduct of the plaintiff, asserting that plaintiff, her sisters and the defendant filed applications for substitution as legal representatives in Srikakulam Court and that plaintiff did not, there, make a claim on the basis of the last Will.
  • Defendant examined himself only; he also contended that witnesses' accounts were discrepant.

Table of Precedents Cited

Precedent Rule or Principle Cited For Application by the Court
R. Venkatachala Iyengar v. B.N. Thimmajamma, A.I.R. 1959 S.C. 443 Cited as authority for established principles on proof of Wills: execution, testamentary capacity, attestation, and explanation of suspicious circumstances. The Court referenced this and other Supreme Court decisions as setting out general principles to be applied in examining the evidence in a probate/letters of administration matter and applied those principles to this case.
Rani Purnima Devi v. Kumar Khagendra Narayan Deb, A.I.R. 1962 S.C. 67 Same general principles on proof of Wills (execution, capacity, attestation, onus of propounder). Used as part of the body of authority establishing the legal framework the Court applied in evaluating the Will and evidence.
Sashi Kumar Banerjee v. Subodh Kumar Banerjee, A.I.R. 1964 S.C. 529 Authority for the settled principles governing proof of wills and dealing with suspicious circumstances and onus. Cited to support the Court's approach to assessing onus, suspicious circumstances and evidentiary requirements.
Ramachandra Rambux v. Champabai, A.I.R. 1965 S.C. 354 General precedent on the law relating to wills, testamentary capacity and proof. Referred to as part of the established Supreme Court jurisprudence relied on by the Court in its analysis.
Smt. Sushila Devi v. Pandit Krishna Kumar Missir, 1971 3 SCC 146 Precedent on principles to be kept in mind in probate and letters of administration proceedings. Invoked in support of the general legal principles the Court applied to the facts.
Surendra Pal v. Dr. (Mrs.) Saraswati Arora, 1974 2 SCC 600 Authority for settled rules about proof of Wills and handling suspicious circumstances. Placed among the Supreme Court authorities forming the legal backdrop for the Court's reasoning.
Beni Chand v. Smt. Kamal Kunwar, 1976 4 SCC 554 Case cited for the same general probate principles (execution, capacity, attestation, suspicion). Referred to as part of the consistent line of Supreme Court decisions guiding assessment of testamentary documents.
Smt. Jaswant Kaur v. Smt. Amrit Kaur, 1977 1 SCC 369 Authority on proof standards and treatment of suspicious circumstances in will disputes. Used with other Supreme Court decisions as general authority for the Court's analytic framework.
Nilambar Bewa v. Fagu Prusty, I.L.R. 1951 Cutt. 141 Local precedent cited for the same general principles concerning wills and probate evidence. Part of the body of local decisions relied on to demonstrate established practice in the Court's jurisdiction.
Hrushikesh Panda v. Brahmananda Panda, I.L.R. 1965 Cutt. 15 Local authority on probate-related evidentiary principles. Referred to as reinforcing the general principles applied by the Court.
Puna Bewa v. Baban Sahu, 38 1972 C.L.T. 387 Local case on probate evidence and related principles. Included among the local authorities confirming the applicable approach to will disputes.
Suresh Chandra Bal v. Niranjan Bal, 41 1975 C.L.T. 644 Local precedent concerning proof of testamentary documents. Relied on as part of the established jurisprudence the Court considered.
Kirtan Bihari Sahu v. Urmila Sahu, I.L.R. 1979 1 Cutt. 509 Local decision on the same set of probate principles. Used to illustrate consistency in local authority on proof of wills.
Gopal Charan Mohanty v. Adarmani Debi, I.L.R. 1983 1 Cutt. 1 Local authority cited for probate-related principles. Part of the corpus of local case law the Court referenced in applying settled principles.
Debendranath Das v. Smt. Ushalata Soo, 56 1983 C.L.T. 439 Local decision on wills and evidence in probate matters. Included in the list of precedents confirming the legal approach followed by the Court.
N.D. Samant v. Kumari Jayasree Roy, I.L.R. 1980 1 Cutt. 500 Case earlier heard in this matter; principles similar to those cited elsewhere. The earlier Division Bench decision was reviewed and vacated; the present judgment proceeds to apply the established principles afresh.
Smt. Pramod Kumari Bhatia v. Om Prakash Bhatia, 1980 1 SCC 412 Cited for the proposition that a Court can supply an omission in a Will where the intention of the maker is clear on reading the whole document. The Court relied on this authority to justify supplying the omitted word "legitimate" to explain an inaccurate statement in the Will that the testator "has no heirs."

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The Court's reasoning proceeded in a structured, fact-driven manner applying the established legal principles set out in the cited authorities.

  1. Acceptance of Evidence and Translation: The trial court accepted the English translation of the Telugu Will (Ext. 10); that translation was not disputed before this Court.
  2. Burden and Legal Framework: The Court reiterated the well-settled legal framework — the propounder must prove due execution (Section 67 Evidence Act and Sections 63/68 of the Act as to attestation and proof), testamentary capacity (Section 59 of the Act and Explanation 4), and must explain any suspicious circumstances. If a caveator alleges fraud or undue influence, the caveator bears the burden of proving it. The Court referenced multiple Supreme Court and local decisions as authority for these propositions.
  3. Was the Will Written by Kamalnath? PW3 and PW4 (attestors) and PW5 (the plaintiff) claimed to have been present when the Will was written. There was no effective cross-examination contradicting that Kamalnath wrote the Will. Defendant suggested paralysis made writing impossible, but PW2 and PW5 produced supporting evidence: an account book written by Kamalnath in 1971 and testimony that Kamalnath operated his bank account and signed cheques. The last cheque drawn by Kamalnath was dated 10-4-1972 (two days before death). The defendant did not seek production of cheques or a handwriting expert report in Telugu script to rebut these facts. The trial court saw the witnesses and accepted their demeanour; the appellate court found no sufficient reason to overturn that finding.
  4. Testamentary Capacity: Although the testator had suffered a paralytic stroke, there was no evidence that his mental faculties were so impaired as to prevent him from knowing what he was doing when making the Will. The Court relied on Explanation 4 and Illustration (iii) to Section 59 (as cited) that feebleness or debilitation does not preclude testamentary capacity if the person can exercise judgment regarding the disposition of property. Testimony of PW2, PW3, PW4, PW5 and PW6 indicated the testator was writing accounts, drawing cheques, speaking with others and discussing disposition of assets.
  5. Suspicious Circumstances and Inaccurate Statement in Will: The Will contained a cryptic statement that "there are no heirs." The Court found this to be an inaccurate, possibly shorthand expression caused by the testator's paralysis and held that the omission could be supplied (by reading "legitimate") in light of the testator's clear intention, relying on Smt. Pramod Kumari Bhatia v. Om Prakash Bhatia. The Court concluded that the inaccuracy did not give rise to a suspicious circumstance sufficient to invalidate the Will.
  6. Credibility and Appellate Review: The Court noted that minor discrepancies among witness accounts are common and not fatal; the trial court's appreciation of witness demeanour and overall evidence is entitled to deference absent unreasonableness. Applying that standard, the appellate Court found no basis to disturb the trial court's factual findings.
  7. Overall Application: Applying the above principles to the record, the Court concluded that the Will was executed by Kamalnath in his own handwriting, he had testamentary capacity at the relevant time, the attestation requirements were satisfied, and suspicious circumstances (to the extent they existed) were sufficiently explained by the propounder's evidence and by the Will itself.

Holding and Implications

Holding: The appeal is DISMISSED. The trial court's finding that the Will (Ext. 10) is genuine, that it was executed by Kamalnath in his own hand, that he had testamentary capacity, and that attestation requirements were satisfied is affirmed. The Court also awarded costs against the appellant (defendant), as the judgment states the appeal was dismissed "with costs."

Implications:

  • The direct effect is that the grant of letters of administration in respect of the Will in favour of the plaintiff stands; the plaintiff's entitlement (as found by the trial court) is upheld.
  • The Court applied established Supreme Court and local authorities concerning proof of wills, attestation, testamentary capacity and the treatment of suspicious circumstances. The opinion emphasizes that findings of fact made on the basis of a particular record do not constitute binding precedent; a factual finding in one case has no general persuasive or binding effect beyond its own circumstances.
  • No new legal principle was created; the decision reinforces existing principles and applies them to the facts before the Court.

This summary is drawn exclusively from the text of the provided opinion. No information beyond that text has been added or inferred.

Show all summary ...

S.C Mohapatra, J.:— This is an appeal by the defendant under Section 299 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’).

2. Letter of administration granted in respect of the Will (Ext. 10) dated 12-2-1972 written in Telugu language in favour of the plaintiff by her father Kamalnath Roy is assailed in the present appeal which is being continued by the legal representatives of the original appellant who died during pendency of the appeal. Trial court accepted the English translation of the Will as follows:—

“Moharaja Kumar Shri Kamalnath Roy

Jeypore

Dt. 12-2-72.

The money which I have now with me by this dated 12-2-1972 is Rs. 4,303.63 p. Some amount is yet to come from Srikakulam. All these are to be given to my daughter Jayashree. This is written out of my free Will. I have written this in my own hand. As £ am suffering from Paralysis, I am not able to write more. There are no heirs. My daughter is the absolute owner. This is my free Will. It shall thus be determined.

Kamalnath Roy,

12-2-72”

3. This translation has not been disputed before us.

4. Kamalnath is the son of Late Vikram Dev, the intermediary of Jeypore Estate. He was residing in the palace at Jeypore. P.w 2 is the only surviving son of Kamalnath through Susila who died two to three months before Ext. 10. Plaintiff is his eldest unmarried daughter through Jagmohini (p.w 6). They have two sons and two other daughters. Defendant is the sister's son of Kamalnath. Kamalnath suffered from illness in 1964 to be treated at Vizag. In 1971, he had a paralytic stroke, as a result of which this capacity to write was partially affected and he could not freely move about. P.w 2 has been employed as driver in All India Radio Station at Jeypore. In the aforesaid background, Kamalnath died on 12-4-1972 leaving some amount in deposit in State Bank of India, Jeypore branch and compensation payable to him by the Estates Abolition Tribunal, Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh. Plaintiff applied to the State Bank of India, Jeypore with the help of p.w 2 for payment of the deposits of Kamalnath to her on the basis of the Will (Ext. 10) in her favour. Being advised to obtain authority from the Court, plaintiff filed the application for a letter of administration with the Will annexed.

5. In the application under Section 278 of the Act, plaintiff claimed that her father on account of love and affection executed the Will (Ext. 10) in her favour on 12-2-1972 bequeathing his savings in the State Bank of India, Jeypore Branch, amounting to Rs. 73,393.63 paise and the compensation amounting to Rs. 79,618.79 Paise in deposit with the Estates Abolition Tribunal, Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh. Kamalnath having died on 12-4-1972, plaintiff would be entitled to grant of letters of administration.

6. On receipt of the application citations were issued by the learned District Judge under Section 283(1)(e) of the Act, calling upon all persons claiming to have interest in the Estate of the deceased. On the basis of such citation, defendant lodged caveat under Section 284(1) of the Act and filed written statement claiming that the Will is not genuine. It was stated that deceased Kamalnath was suffering from Paralytic stroke before the date of alleged execution of the Will and was not able to write or sign properly. As regards conduct of the plaintiff, he asserted that the plaintiff, her sisters and the defendant filed applications for substitution as legal representatives in Srikakulam Court where she did not make any claim on the basis of the last Will of Kamalnath in her favour.

7. There being contention, the proceeding for letters of administration was registered as a suit as required under the rules made by this Court and was heard in the form of a regular suit according to the provision of the Code of Civil Procedure as provided under Section 295 of the Act. Plaintiff examined six witnesses in support of her prayer and proved eleven documents including the Will. Defendant remained satisfied by examining himself only. On consideration of the materials on record, trial court held that the Will is the last Will of the deceased which is genuine and was executed by Kamalnath in a sound state of mind and bad been duly attested. This appeal has been filed against the said decision the trial court. It was earlier heard and was disposed of by a Division Bench See N.D Samant v. Kumari Jayasree Roy . I.L.R 1980 1 Cutt. 500.. Plaintiff filed an application for review of the judgment on the basis of which the Division Bench vacated the judgment and accordingly, this appeal has been again heard by us to be disposed of by this judgment.

8. In order to succeed in the application for grant of letters of administration, plaintiff is to prove that the Will in her favour was the last Will of the testator, her father which was executed while he was capable of making the testament to dispose of his property being of a sound mind and knowing what he was doing. She has to prove that the document has been duly attested. Besides, she has to explain the suspicious circumstances in the case.

9. Execution of a Will is to be proved like any other document as provided under Section 67 of the Evidence Act. An unprivileged Will like Ext. 10 is required to be attested as provided under Section 63 of the Act. Such attestation is to be proved in the same manner as in case of other documents under Section 68 of the Evidence Act. Disposing capacity of the person executing the Will as provided under Section 59 of the Act is to be proved. Since the propounder cannot succeed unless he proves the due execution of the Will, onus lies on him to prove the same by explaining the suspicious circumstances. Where the caveator questions the genuineness or validity of the Will alleging fraud or undue influence practised on the testator he is to prove the same. Even if the caveator is not able to prove fraud or undue influence, suspicious circumstances arising in the case are to be clarified by the applicant. Court is required to keep in mind these general principle while considering the application for probate or letters of administration. These principles have been well settled by the Supreme Court in the decisions reported in R. Venkatachala Iyengar v. B.N Thimmajamma . A.I.R 1959 S.C 443., Rani Purnimq Devi v. Kumar Khagendra Narayan Deb . A.I.R 1962 S.C 67., Sashi Kumar Banerjee v. Subodh Kumar Banerjee since deceased and after him his legal representative . A.I.R 1964 S.C 529., Ramachandra Rambux v. Champabai . A.I.R 1965 S.C 354., Smt. Sushila Devi v. Pandit Krishna Kumar Missir . 1971 3 SCC 146, Surendra Pal v. Dr. (Mrs) Saraswati Arora . 1974 2 SCC 600 Beni Chand (since dead) now by L. Rs. v. Smt. Kamal Kunwar . 1976 4 SCC 554, Smt. Jaswant Kaur v. Smt. Amrit Kaur . 1977 1 SCC 369. This Court has also expressed the same principle in the decisions reported in Nilambar Bewa…Deft.-Applt.; v. Fagu Prusty…Pltf.-Resp. . I.L.R 1951 Cutt. 141., Hrushikesh Panda v. Brahmananda Panda . I.L.R 1965 Cutt. 15., Puna Bewa v. Baban Sahu . 38 1972 C.L.T 387. Suresh Chandra Bal v. Niranjan Bal . 41 1975 C.L.T 644., Kirtan Bihari Sahu v. Urmila Sahu . I.L.R 1979 1 Cutt. 509., Gopal Charan Mohanty v. Adarmani Debi . I.L.R 1983 1 Cutt. 1. and Debendranath Das v. Smt. Ushalata Soo . 56 1983 C.L.T 439.. In the decision reported in N.D Samant's case (supra) which has since been reviewed and vacated, the same principles have been laid down. Applying the aforesaid principles to the facts and circumstances, each case is to be considered on its own merit. A finding of fact on the basis of materials in a particular case is not a precedent having either pursuasive value or binding effect.

10. In the premises, first question to be considered is whether Kamalnath executed the Will (Ext. 10). P.ws 3 and 4 who are the attestors and p.w 5 the plaintiff claim to be present when the Will was written by Kamalnath in his own hand. There is no effective cross-examination to those witnesses that Kamalnath did not write the Will (Ext. 10). Defendant intends to creats a suspicion in mind that on account of illness of Kamalnath having paralytic stroke, he was not able to write. This suspicion is clarified by p.w 2 his son and p.w 5 the propounder by proving the account book of Kamalnath written by him in the year 1971. P.w 2 asserted on oath that Kamalnath was operating his bank account by writing of signing cheques. The last cheque drawn by Kamalnath was on 10-4-1972, two days before his death. Trial court who had the opportunity to see the witness and mark their demeanour accepted these statements. There does not seem to be sufficient reason to differ with the trial court. In the Will (Ext. 1) it has been clearly stated that the-same is short on account of the paralysis of the testator. Defendant has not taken any step to call for the cheques which p.w 2 stated to have been written by Kamalnath to prove that Ext. 10 has not been written by Kamalnath. He has not taken any steps to get the handwriting examined by an expert in Telgu seript in which the Will was written to prove that the handwriting is such that a man suffering from paralysis cannot write such hand as the Will (Ext. 10) depicts. Thus, there is no suspicion circumstance with respect to the writing of the Will. Whatever suspicion might be there, the same has been explained by the witnesses apart from the statement in the Will itself.

11. The next question to be considered is the mental capacity of the testator to dispose of his property by making the Will. There is no dispute that Kamalnath had paralytic stroke. However, there is no evidence that the said illness had affected bis mental condition to such an extent that he would not be able to know what he was doing to draw an inference that he cannot make a Will as provided in Explanation 4 to Section 59 of the Act. Illustration (iii) to the section makes it clear that a person being very feeble and debilitated but capable of exercising a judgment as to proper mode of disposing of his property can make a Will which shall be valid. In the present case there is no evidence that Kamalnath was feeble and debilitated. Rather evidence of p.ws 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 clearly indicate that he was writing accounts, daily diary, drawing cheques talking with others and was also discussing about making Will disposing of his assets. P.w 6 who was his life companion clearly stated that they had discussion how to dispose of the assets. She suggested to provide for all children, Kamalnath stated that sons would squander away money and in case the same is given ro p.w 5, she would take care of all since she is of good conduct and was liking equally to all her brothers and sisters. Although p.w 5 was present at the time Kamalnath executed the Will, there is no evidence that she influenced him or dominated the Will. Immediately after execution of the Will, Kamalnath told about it to p.w 6 Jagmohini. P.w 2 also knew of the same that night itself. They were satisfied about the genuineness of the arrangement of his assets by Kamalnath. P.w 2 helped p.w 5 for payment of the amount to her from the bank which itself indicates that he was satisfied that the disposition by Kamalnath was just. In the evidence it has been brought out by the defendant that Jagmohini had property of her own which she disposed of after death of Kamalnath. In such circumstances absence of provision for all children and Jagmohini and disposing of property in favour of p.w 5 alone cannot be a suspicious circumstance.

12. A statement in the Will (Ext. 1) that he has no heirs is not an accurate statement. The testator was making cryptic statement on account of his paralysis. It is clear on the face of the Will itself that Kamalnath has not accurately and completely expressed his meaning by the words he used. Case of the defendant is that both Sushila, mother of p, w. 2 and Jagmohini (p.w 6) are his concumbines. It is thus clear that Kamalnath wanted to say that he has no legitimate heirs which he omitted. If this omission is supplied, there can be no comment on account of this inaccurates statement. Court can supply the same as in the decision repotted in Smt. Pramod Kumari Bhatia v. Om Prakash Bhatia . 1980 1 SCC 412. In this decision it was omitted in the Will to state that son would take the property after death of the wife of the testator which was found by the Court on reading the whole of the Will. The omission was supplied by the Court to express out the intention of the testator. In the present case also such omission can be supplied by Court are to give a meaning of a document than to throw out the same merely because there is an inaccuracy specially when the intention of the maker is clear. Accordingly, I am satisfied that the inaccuracy is not a suspicious circumstance which can be explained by reading into it the word ‘legitimate’.

13. Mr. B.L.N Swamy, learned counsel for the appellants submitted that the witnesses are so discrepant in their visions that genuineness of the Will cannot be accepted. It is true that the witnesses have not spoken parrot-like. It is not uncommon that witnesses at times, exaggerate or suppress so as to be acceptable to every one. At times they speak in a manner a fact has been imprinted in their minds. It is to be remembered that they speak of a fact long after it happened. With much happenings in their day to day life, the overlapping of facts in the mental faculty to give rise to confusion is not uncommon. Court is to read the evidence as a whole and get an impression of the correctness of the facts stated by a witness. That is why witnesses are examined normally in the Court itself so that the Presiding Officer shall have an impression of the witness. Appreciation of a witness by the trial court is not to be discarded by the appellate court which is a Court of record only easily unless trial court having failed to give weight to a particular fact or on reading the evidence as a whole, the view taken by the trial court becomes unreasonable. Assessed in the aforesaid standard, I am not satisfied that the appreciation of evidence by the trial court is to be interfered with in the present case. For the reasons stated by the trial court and in view of the discussions as made in this judgment, I am satisfied that Kamalnath executed the Will (Ext. 10) in his own hand and made the disposition of his property understanding what he was doing. Requirement of attestation of the Will.is also satisfied. Circumstances which might have created suspicion have been explained in the Will and by the witnesses. Added to it, p.w 2 the step brother of the propounder p.w 5 and the evidence of p.w 6, the mother who is equally interested in all children is such that the Will (Ext. 10) cannot be doubted in any manner. In the result, this appeal has no merit which is accordingly dismissed with costs.

P.C Misra, J.:— I agree.

14. Appeal dismissed.