In Brief
A widow and co-owner challenged a 1973 sale deed of agricultural land, claiming she never executed it and received no consideration. The defendant asserted valid execution. The plaintiff's expert evidence and concurrent court findings proved her thumb impression was forged; the defendant failed to produce the original deed or prove payment. The Supreme Court held the sale deed void ab initio due to non-execution and lack of consideration. Under the Limitation Act, 1963, suits for possession based on title (not cancellation) are governed by Article 65 (12 years), not Article 59 (3 years). Since void documents are non-est in law and need not be formally cancelled, the plaintiff could sue for possession within 12 years. The suit, filed 11 years after the deed's date, was timely. The appeal was dismissed, upholding the decree for joint possession.",
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