JUDGMENT

A.S. Chandurkar, J. - The challenge raised in the present proceedings is to the judgment of the Family Court dated 19/05/2014 in Petition No.C-62 of 2007.

2. The respondent no.1 herein claims to be the legally wedded wife of the appellant. According to her, the marriage took place on 20/07/1993 at Anand Mangal Karyalaya, Dhantoli, Nagpur. From the said wedlock the respondent no.1-wife gave birth to a child on 19/09/1994. It is the case of the respondent no.1 that on 07/07/1994, the appellant left her company and thereafter performed another marriage. Since February, 1995, the appellant did not take care of the respondents and hence in 1996, the respondents filed proceedings under Section 18 of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956, (for short "the Act of 1956") seeking maintenance of an amount of Rs.3000/- per month for both of them.

3. In the written statement filed by the appellant, the marriage was specifically denied. A stand was taken that the respondent no.1 professed Muslim religion and therefore she was not entitled to claim maintenance under Section 18 of the Act of 1956. All other adverse allegations as made were also denied.

4. After the parties led evidence