36. The Apex Court, in the decision reported in (2004) 9 SCC
468 (KRISHNA MOHAN KUL Vs. PRATIMA MAITY), dealing
with a similar question as to challenge on the execution of the
settlement deed on the ground of undue influence exercised by
reason of fiduciary relationship, held as follows:
"13. In judging the validity of transactions between persons
standing in a confidential relation to each other, it is very
material to see whether the person conferring a benefit on the
other had competent and independent advice. The age or
capacity of the person conferring the benefit and the nature of
the benefit are of very great importance in such cases. It is
always obligatory for the donee/beneficiary under a
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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
A.S.(MD)No.305 of 2021
document to prove due execution of the document in
accordance with law, even dehors the reasonableness or
otherwise of the transaction, to avail of the benefit or claim
rights under the document irrespective of the fact whether
such party is the defendant or plaintiff before the Court. "
12. Strong reliance has been placed by the High
Court in the decision of this Court in Krishna
Mohan Kul @ Nani Charan Kul & Anr. v. Pratima
Maity & Ors., [AIR 2003 SC 4351]. In that case,
the question of burden of proof was gone into after
the parties had adduced evidence. It was brought
on record that the witnesses whose names
appeared in the impugned deed and which was
said to have been created to grab the property of
the plaintiffs were not in existence. The question
as regards oblique motive in execution of the deed
of settlement was gone into by the Court. The
executant was more than 100 years of age at the
time of alleged registration of the deed in question.
He was paralytic and furthermore his mental and
1 (2006) 5 SCC 558
Page 11 of 18
physical condition was not in order. He was also
completely bed-ridden and though his left thumb
impression was taken, there was no witness who
could substantiate that he had put his thumb
impression. It was on the aforementioned facts,
this Court opined:-
15.2 The Apex Court in case of Krishna
Mohan Kul alias Nani Charan Kul and
another vs. Pratima Maity and other,
reported in (2004) 9 SCC 468 also has held
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C/FA/1076/2019 JUDGMENT DATED: 09/12/2022
that when a person in a fiduciary
relationship with another is in a position
of active confidence, it will be his onus
to prove that there is a absence of fraud,
misrepresentation and undue influence and
that the transaction was fair and real and
genuine as well. The burden of proving the
good faith of the transaction is thrown
upon the dominant party, the party who is
in a position of active confidence.
In the light of the decision referred to in paragraph Nos 35 and 36, namely, AIR 1961 Madras 190 (ABDUL MALICK Vs. MD.YOUSUF) as well as (2004) 9 SCC 468 (KRISHNA MOHAN KUL Vs. PRATIMA MAITY) and the findings as to the fiduciary relationship in which the first appellant was placed and the confidence reposed by the deceased in the first appellant and enjoyed by the first appellant taken advantage of by her in exerting influence on the deceased and further having regard to the suspicious circumstances relating to the execution the settlement deed we do not find any support from these decisions to accept the case of the appellants . Consequently the appeal fails and the same is dismissed. However, there shall be no order as to costs. The M.Ps are also closed.
12. Strong reliance has been placed by the High
Court in the decision of this Court in Krishna
Mohan Kul @ Nani Charan Kul & Anr. v. Pratima
Maity & Ors., [AIR 2003 SC 4351]. In that case, the
question of burden of proof was gone into after the
parties had adduced evidence. It was brought on
record that the witnesses whose names appeared
in the impugned deed and which was said to have
been created to grab the property of the plaintiffs
1 (2006) 5 SCC 558
Page 8 of 12
were not in existence. The question as regards
oblique motive in execution of the deed of
settlement was gone into by the Court. The
executant was more than 100 years of age at the
time of alleged registration of the deed in question.
He was paralytic and furthermore his mental and
physical condition was not in order. He was also
completely bed-ridden and though his left thumb
impression was taken, there was no witness who
could substantiate that he had put his thumb
impression. It was on the aforementioned facts, this
Court opined:-
In this context, reference may be had to the judgment of the Supreme
Court in Krishna Mohan Kul alias Nani Charan Kul & Anr. v. Pratima
Maity & Ors., (2004) 9 SCC 468. That was a case in which several
witnesses were examined to contend that the executant was more than 100
years of age at the time of alleged execution of the deed in question, he was
paralytic and his mental and physical conditions were not in order, though
his left hand thumb impression was said to have been affixed on the
document. There was no witness who could substantiate that he in fact had
put his thumb impression. The court held as follows:-
47. With all due deference and humility at my command, I find that the
reliance placed by the learned counsel for the appellants on Krishna
Mohan Kul v. Pratima Maity14 case is clearly distinguishable on facts. The
civil appeal came before the Apex Court after traversing through the
Hon'ble High Court of Calcutta set aside the concurrent judgments passed
by the trial court and first appellate court.