JUDGMENT

R.P. Sethi, J. - Claiming to be the second wife of the petitioner, the respondent filed a petition under section 448 Cr. P.C. for the grant of maintenance in the court of Munsiff, Judicial Magistrate, Basoli who vide his order dated 29.9.1980 directed the payment of Rs. 70/. per month as maintenance to her from the date of the order. The petitioner filed a revision petition in the court of Sessions Judge, Kathua stating therein that the order impugned was contrary to the provisions of law because the petitioner admittedly being second wife \vas not entitled to claim maintenance under station 488 Cr. P.C. as her marriage with the petitioner was in contravention of the provisions of Hindu Marriage Act and non-existent in the eyes of law. However the revision petition was dismissed vide the order impugned.

2. I have heard the learned counsel for the parties and have perused the record of the courts below.

3. The question for determination in this revision petition is as to who is a "wife" contemplated by the provisions of section 488 Cr. P.C. for the grant of maintenance from her husband. According to the learned counsel for the petitioner maintenance can be claimed only by a