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{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.6612;}{\info{\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI (AT SUVA)}{\author Amelia Rasovo}{\operator blake_r}{\creatim\yr2004\mo8\dy30\hr11\min43}{\revtim\yr2004\mo8\dy31\hr8\min58}{\printim\yr2002\mo9\dy4\hr9\min28}{\version4}
{\edmins2}{\nofpages3}{\nofwords878}{\nofchars5008}{\*\company Judicial Department}{\nofcharsws5875}{\vern16389}}\widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\hyphcaps0\formshade\horzdoc\dghspace180\dgvspace180
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{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285672 \fs20\lang1033\langfe5129\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp5129 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672\charrsid11285672 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 (AT SUVA)
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 CIVIL ACTION NO. HBC 218 OF 2001S
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 Between:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 ARUN PRASAD SHARMA
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 Plaintiff
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672\charrsid11285672 A}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 nd}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672\charrsid11285672 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 DEVEN PRASAD SHARMA
\par RANJULA DEVI SHARMA
\par JASODA DEVI SHARMA
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 Defendants
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
\par Plaintiff in person
\par G. O\rquote Driscoll for the Defendants
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
\par These proceedings were commenced by the Plaintiff in person who filed an Originating Summons and supporting affidavit in May 2001.
\par 
\par The Plaintiff and the first named Defendant are sons of the late Ambika Prasad Sharma who died on 8 February 1992.
\par 
\par The second named Defendant is Ambika Prasad Sharma\rquote s daughter while the third named Defendant (Jasoda) is his widow, the Plaintiff\rquote s mother.
\par 
\par According to the supporting affidavit the Plaintiff went to India to pursue further studies in 1982.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
When he returned to Fiji in 1990 he found his father\rquote s condition much reduced.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
The Plaintiff says that his father was in poor health, and was being kept a virtual prisoner at home where \'93unhealthy attitudes, wicked behaviour and evil climactic circumstances\'94 prevailed.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 The Plaintiff\rquote s two most serious allegations are that the death of his father was not an accident and that a will said to have been executed by his father on 16 N
ovember 1991 was forged.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
In the present proceedings he seeks to propound an earlier will dated 10 September 1985 and seeks an order that he be paid his entitlements under that will.
\par 
\par When Ambika Prasad Sharma died it was reported that he had fallen at home but the Plaintiff claimed that he had been murdered.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
The police investigated and in due course an inquest was held.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
A copy of the inquest is Exhibit B to the answering affidavit filed by Jasoda.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
In his ruling delivered in March 1995 the Resident Magistrate wrote:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 \'93
On the evidence and facts before me I conclude that there is no evidence whatsoever of foul play.\'94
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
\par The 1991 will ( a copy of which is Exhibit A to Jasoda\rquote s affidavit) appointed the first and second named Defendants as the executors.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 In Civil Action 24 of 1993 the executors sought to remove a caveat lodged against the will by another son Sashi Prasad Sharma.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 On 30 August 1996 Pathik J ordered the removal of this caveat.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 A copy of his Decision is exhibit E to Jasoda\rquote s affidavit.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 On 30 August 1996 probate of the 1991 will was granted to the executors (Exhibit F).}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 Sashi Prasad Sharma appealed to the Fiji Court of Appeal.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
On 27 February 1998 the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
As appears from the copy Judgment (Exhibit C) Sashi Prasad Sharma had argued that administration of the estate should be stayed pending the reopening of the 1993 inquest.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 Rejecting this submission the Court of Appeal said:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 \'93\'85 
the trial Judge was correct in concluding that to allow the appellant further time to await the decision of the Attorney-General [ under Section 20 of the Inquests Act \endash 
 Cap 46] in the circumstances of the present case was not a good ground to allow the caveat to remain.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
It is now two years since the matter was referred to the Attorney General and six years since the deceased died.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
It is in the interest of all parties that this matter should come to some finality.\'94}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
\par Mr. O\rquote Driscoll advised me that an appeal to the Supreme Court against the 1998 decision of the Court of Appeal is one of the twelve appeals now pending in the Supreme Court.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 It is not known when the appeal will be heard.
\par 
\par Although the present Plaintiff was not a party to the proceedings commenced by his brother they are in my view determinative of the status of the 1991 will and the 1993 inquest.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 I therefore advised the Plaintiff and Mr. O\rquote Driscoll during the hearing that I was not prepared to go behind the grant of probate or the findings of the inquest.
\par 
\par In a final affidavit the Plaintiff explained that his father\rquote s estate was valuable.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
On the other hand he himself is an unemployed acupuncturist and part time taxi driver with four children to support.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
He does not own his own house.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 The P
laintiff asked me to order that he paid his one ninth entitlement provided by clause 5 of the will.
\par 
\par As long ago as April 1994 Jasoda\rquote s then solicitors wrote to the Plaintiff solicitors (Exhibit B to the supporting affidavit) advising:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6382663 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 \'93(Jasoda) will assi
st in the settlement forthwith after she will discharge her life interest in the said property as per clause 5 [of the will]\'94.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
\par In paragraph 27 of her affidavit in reply herein Jasoda stated:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 \'93\'85 the Plaintiff does have an entitlement under the 16}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\super\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672  November 1991 will and that entitlement will be satisfied\'94.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
\par In paragraph 29 she stated:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 \'93\'85
 I say the trustees have always been prepared to pay the entitlement to the Plaintiff and all other beneficiaries but they have not done so because of the many cou
rt actions the Plaintiff and others have taken against them contesting the estate and also because there is a pending Supreme Court case by another of my sons Sashi Prasad Sharma against the estate, the outcome of which will finalise this affair and the e
state can be executed thereafter.\'94
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
\par As will be seen from clauses 4 and 5 of the 1991 will Jasoda was given a life interest in the whole of Ambika Prasad Sharma\rquote s estate including the moneys standing to his credit in various banks at his death.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
It is only upon the death of Jasoda that these moneys are to be distributed equally to the testators 9 children (one of whom died in 1985).
\par 
\par These clauses seem to me to be badly drafted since it is not at all clear what a life interest in moneys, without further directions, amounts to.
\par 
\par I have some sympathy with the Plaintiff and have little doubt that he truly believes that the inquest reached the wrong conclusion and that the 1991 will is a forgery.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 For reasons already given however I regard those matters as closed.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 Under the terms of the 1991 will the Plaintiff does not become entitled to be paid a share in his father\rquote s estate until his mother\rquote s death.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11285672  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 Accordingly these proceedings must fail.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6382663 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid6382663 M.D. Scott
\par Judge
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11285672 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15099664\charrsid11285672 
\par 5 September 2002
\par }}