JUDGEMENT
Sinha, J. -
(1.) This appeal is directed against the judgment and decree dated
18th May, 1989 passed by the learned Additional District Judge, 1st Court,
Hooghly in Probate Suit No. 15/1984 thereby allowing the probate suit and
granting probate in favour of the respondent propounders of the Will of late
Prasanta Kumar Dutta.
(2.) The respondents as propounders filed the above stated suit for grant
of probate under Section 276 of the Indian Succession Act and also as executors
of the Will and testament executed by their uncle Prasanta Kumar Dutta (since
deceased) on 23.2.81. In their application for grant of probate which was
converted into a suit it was disclosed by them that the testator Prasanta Kumar
Dutta was full blood brother of their father late Anil Kumar Dutta of 43, Dharmatala
Lane, Bhadrakali within P. S. Uttarpara.The testator made the said Will on 23.2.81
in favour of the two propounders and their brothers namely, Sekhar Kumar Dutta,
Asis Kumar Dutta and Paramesh Dutta and bequeathed his entire properties
as described in schedule A of the petition. The testator was a bachelor and he
left behind his two brothers namely, Sisir Kumar Dutta, Dilip Kumar Dutta and
one sister namely Sovona Basu. No other application was made by anybody in
any Court, in India for obtaining probate of the said Will or for letters of
administration in respect of estate of testator. It was also contended by the
propounders that they have incurred Rs. 6,000/- as expenses for the funeral
and sradh ceremony of the testator.
(3.) The appellant as caveator contested the said suit by filing written
statement denying therein all material averments of plaint. He inter alia contended
that the Will is not a genuine one and it was procured by coercion,
misrepresentation, fraud and undue influence on the testator. The testator was
suffering from cancer and was being treated as indoor patient in PG Hospital
but one of the propounders, namely, Sanka- Kumar Dutta, executing risk bond
obtained discharge of the testator from hospital and took him away to house
without consulting other brothers of testator or any other relative. The Will was
executed within a fortnight from date of return of the testator from hospital and
45 days before-his death. The testator had great respect upon the O.P.'s father
and other brother Dilip Kumar Dutta but, they were not given anything in the
said Will and it establishes that at the relevant time of execution of Will the
testator had no disposing capacity both mental and physical in respect of his
properties. It was also alleged that the propounders have included in their claim
the commuted value of the pension of the testator though it was not bequeathed
in the Will and it shows that the Will was suspicious in nature.;
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