JUDGMENT :

VISHWAJITH SHETTY, J.

This Miscellaneous First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the Family Courts Act is filed challenging the judgment and decree dated 18.08.2014 passed by the Principal Judge, Family Court, Bengaluru, in M.C.No.2496/2010, wherein the petition filed by the respondent-wife under Sections 12(1)(a) and 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (for short, 'the Act') was allowed and the marriage of the appellant with the respondent was declared as nullity, and accordingly, t he marriage was dissolved by a decree of divorce.

2. Heard the learned Counsel for the parties and also perused the material available on record.

3. Brief facts of the case as revealed from the records which would be necessary for the purpose of disposal of this appeal are, the marriage of the appellant and the respondent was solemnized on 29.10.2001 at Mani Shadakshari Kalyana Mantap, No.307, Thimmaiah Road, Off. Queens Road, Bengaluru. At the time of marriage, the respondent was working in General Post Office at Bengaluru, while the appellant was working as a Clerk in Indian Bank, Neyveli Branch, Neyveli, Tamil Nadu.

4. After the marriage, nuptial ceremony was arranged at the residence of the