K.Subbulakshmi @ Pappayee vs C.V.Ramasamy Pillai(Died) on 5 February, 2020
In Mallesappa Bandeppa Desai & Anr. V. Desai Mallappa alias
Mallesappa & Anr. [AIR 1961 SC 1268], this Court held that where
a manager claims that any immovable property has been acquired
by him with his own separate funds and not with the help of the
joint family funds of which he was in possession and charge, it is
for him to prove by clear and satisfactory evidence his plea that
the purchase money proceeded from his separate fund. The onus
of proof in such a case has to be placed on the manager and not
on his coparceners. It is difficult to comprehend how this decision
lends any support to the contention of the respondents that in
absence of leading any evidence, the claim of appellant No.1 of the
property being self-acquired has to fail. In the cited decision, the
manager was found to be in possession and in charge of joint
family funds and, therefore, it was for him to prove that despite it
he purchased the property from his separate funds. In the present
case, admittedly, no evidence has been led by the respondents
that the first appellant was in possession of any such joint family
funds or as to value or income, if any, of Item No.2 property.