Reddy is not disputed. This Court in the case of Narne Rama Murthy v. Ravula Somasundaram and Ors.5, observed as follows: - “5. We also see no substance in the contention that the suit was barred by limitation and that the courts below should have 4 (2021) 9 SCC 796 5 (2005) 6 SCC 614 8decided the question of limitation. When limitation is the pure question of law and from the pleadings itself it becomes apparent that a suit is barred by limitation, then, of course, it is the duty of the court to decide limitation at the outset even in the absence of a plea. However, in cases where the question of limitation is a mixed question of fact and law and the suit does not appear to be barred by limitation on the face of it, then the facts necessary to prove limitation must be pleaded, an issue raised and then proved. In this case the question of limitation is intricately linked with the question whether the agreement to sell was entered into on behalf of all and whether possession was on