POONAM KAUR Vs. JAGJIT SINGH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an appeal by the wife under Section 28 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (hereinafter referred to as "the Act") against the judgment and decree dated 26-8-1997 passed by the learned Additional District Judge, Chandigarh, whereby petition of the respondent-husband for dissolution of marriage by a decree of divorce under Section 13(l)(1-a) of the Act on the ground of cruelty had been allowed.

(2.) This is rather an unfortunate case where matrimonial alliance between the parties settled by way of an advertisement in the newspaper, though made a good start but ran into rough weather just within a period of less than two years thereafter. The budding couple, soon after the marriage, which was solemnised on 9-8-1992 at Chandigarh as per Sikh rites through Anand Karaj in the presence of respectables and relatives of the parties, entertained high hopes and aspirations and they were not only hoping but were anxiously looking forward to a life full of mirth and merriment, mutual love and devotion. They were even blessed with a daughter, named Jaspreet Kaur on 29-4-1993. But the circumstances took an ugly turn and dragged the couple to the door of the Court, initiation, however, was made by the husband, respondent herein who approached the Court by filing a petition for dissolution of marriage.

(3.) The woeful tale of the couple which surfaced on the record in the shape of facts is somehow lengthy, which however, can be summarised in the following manner. FIRST THE HUSBAND'S ALLEGATIONS IN THE PETITION