( 1 ) IF this case is any indication of the way in which the divorce laws are administered in our courts, there is certainly much cause for dismay. On any view, what happened in this case is very perturbing.

( 2 ). In February 1977, the husband instituted a petition, under section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, for restitution of conjugal rights. He alleged that the wife had withdrawn from his society without reasonable excuse , and had not returned despite requests. He also made some complaints about her behaviour towards him and his mother.

( 3 ). By her answer, the wife alleged, that, soon after the marriage, the husband began making extortionate and unending demands for dowry; and when they were not met she was beaten brutally and ill-treated in many other ways. She said, he had even threatened to kill her and her baby daughter so that he could remarry. Ultimately, she was turned out of the house with her little daughter and not allowed to take anything except the clothes she was wearing.

( 4 ). The husband, of course, denied the wife s version, and maintained that she had left without any cause or reason . He reiterated that she had misbehaved wit