( 1 ) THE appellant in this letters Patent Appeal is the wife, who was respondent in the petition filed by the husband, seeking divorce by decree of dissolution of marriage, between the parties under Section 13 (l) (ib) of the Hindu Marriage Act, as amended by the Marriage Laws (Amendment) Act, 1976.

( 2 ) THE facts, in so far as are relevant for the disposal of this appeal, are that the petition was brought on the allegation that the marriage between the parties was solemnised on 20th February, 1977, according to Hindu rites and ceremonies, and out of tin-, wedlock, a female child named Poonam was bora on 24th January, 1978. According to the petitioner (husband), he was residing with his parents, brothers and sister at the time of marriage in flat No. 40, Sarojini Nagar Market, New Delhi, and that the respondent in the proceedings; namely, the wife started postering him to live separately from his parents after 10/12 days of the marriage, and he was so harassed by her on account of her misbehaviour with him and his family members that he was compelled, alter a few months, to take a separate house on rent in Safdarjang Enclave being B-3/49. It was, however, state