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Babu Singh & Ors vs Ram Sahai @ Ram Singh on 30 April, 2008

11. The argument of the learned counsel appearing for appellant is that as the evidence of PW1 establishes that the attesting witnesses to Ext.X1 will are no more and hence the will can only be proved as provided under Section 69 of Indian Evidence Act. Though the learned counsel relying on the decision of the Apex Court in Babu Singh's case (supra) argued that as the defendants have not taken out summons to the attesting witnesses or did not produce their death certificates, there is no evidence to prove that the attesting witnesses were not available for examination. But on the facts and evidence I cannot agree. PW1 unambiguously deposed that both the attesting witnesses are no more. DW2 at the time of his examination, though not in chief examination, but in cross examination by the learned counsel appearing for the 10th defendant deposed that both the attesting witnesses are not alive. That version of DW2 was not RSA 1070/2004 19 challenged by the plaintiff in cross examination. Though he was asked whether he has produced the death certificates of the attesting witnesses, there was not even a suggestion that the witnesses were alive. In the light of this evidence, I do not find it necessary for the first respondent to produce either the death certificates of the attesting witnesses or to take out summons to the attesting witnesses, to prove that they are not available for examination. Though the learned counsel argued that the admission of DW1 cannot be made use of, as she was aged 80 years, on going through the evidence of DW1, I do not find any infirmity on her evidence due to her age as canvassed by the learned counsel appearing for the first respondent. On the evidence, it is absolutely clear that before the examination of PW1, the attesting witnesses had died and therefore they were not available for examination to prove execution of Ext.X1 will. If that be so, the will could be proved only as provided under Section 69 of the Indian Evidence Act. The question is whether the defendants have succeeded in proving the will, as provided under Section 69 of Indian Evidence Act.
Supreme Court of India Cites 12 - Cited by 104 - S B Sinha - Full Document
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