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Issues Involved:
1. Limitation 2. Verification of the plaint 3. Date of death of Mt. Mohini 4. Adoption of Ram Prasad 5. Res judicata 6. Estoppel under Section 41 of the Transfer of Property Act 7. Costs Detailed Analysis: 1. Limitation: The defendants argued that the claim was barred by time on three grounds: (1) the alleged adoption of Ram Prasad not being set aside within six years, (2) the original plaint not being verified within the limitation period, and (3) the death of Mt. Mohini occurring earlier than claimed by the plaintiffs. The court held that the six-year rule did not apply as the reversioners were not required to bring a suit for a declaration regarding the adoption but could wait until the widow's death to claim possession. The court also determined that the omission to verify the plaint was a mere irregularity and did not render the plaint void. The main point of contention was the exact date of Mt. Mohini's death, which the court ultimately found to be within the permissible period, thus ruling the claim was not barred by time. 2. Verification of the Plaint: The court agreed that the lack of verification at the time of filing was an irregularity that could be cured later. The court cited previous cases to support the view that such an omission did not invalidate the plaint. The subsequent verification was not considered an amendment but a correction of an irregularity. 3. Date of Death of Mt. Mohini: The court examined evidence including a Daily Death Register and corroborating statements from a previous plaint. Despite objections regarding the admissibility and authenticity of the Death Register, the court concluded that the register was an official document under Section 35 of the Indian Evidence Act and that the entries were relevant facts. The court found that the plaintiffs had sufficiently proven that Mt. Mohini died on December 18, 1907, thus the suit was within the limitation period. 4. Adoption of Ram Prasad: The court considered the plea of res judicata in connection with the adoption issue. The court reviewed the historical context, including an earlier suit by Mt. Mohini challenging Ram Prasad's adoption, which was settled through arbitration. The arbitrators had concluded that Ram Prasad was the adopted son and proper heir of Kallu Misra. The court found no substantial evidence to suggest that the arbitration was collusive or fraudulent. The court held that the previous decree was binding and operated as res judicata, thus the adoption was valid. 5. Res Judicata: The court held that the previous suit brought by Mt. Mohini was a representative suit, and the decree obtained therein was binding on the reversioners, including the plaintiffs. The court emphasized that the suit was brought in the interest of the entire body of reversioners and the decree operated as res judicata, preventing the plaintiffs from re-litigating the issue of adoption. 6. Estoppel under Section 41 of the Transfer of Property Act: The court examined the claims of various defendants who were transferees of the property. Defendants Nos. 7 and 8, who derived title from Ram Prasad, were found to be bona fide transferees for value and were protected under Section 41 of the Transfer of Property Act. The court also found that defendant No. 9, who derived title from Mt. Mohini herself, could not claim protection under Section 41 as he took the property before the reversioner's right had accrued. 7. Costs: The court decided that the plaintiffs' suit should be dismissed against all defendants. The plaintiffs were ordered to bear their own costs and pay the costs of all defendants other than Ram Prasad in both courts. Ram Prasad was to bear his own costs. The court allowed only one set of costs to the defendants, including fees on the higher scale. Conclusion: The appeal was dismissed with the modification that the plaintiffs' suit was dismissed against all defendants. The plaintiffs were responsible for their own costs and those of the defendants, excluding Ram Prasad, who bore his own costs. The court emphasized the binding nature of the previous decree and the validity of the adoption, ultimately protecting the bona fide transferees under Section 41 of the Transfer of Property Act.
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