JUDGMENT

Rekha Palli, J. - The present appeal assails the judgment and order dated 20.05.2020 passed by the learned Additional Principal Judge, Family Court, Tis Hazari in HMA No. 261/2017 which had been preferred by the appellant seeking a decree of nullity declaring his marriage with the respondent as being null and void.

2. The marriage of the appellant Mr. Prahlad Singh with the respondent, Ms. Seema was solemnized, as per Hindu rites and customs, on 05.05.2009 in Delhi. They have a daughter from this wedlock.

3. In 2017, the appellant/petitioner instituted HMA No 261/2017 before the learned Family Court on the ground that he had been duped into the marriage by the respondent. He claimed that the respondent had concealed her previous marriage to one Mr. Praveen Kumar, with whom her relationship had deteriorated to such an extent that both of them had registered FIRs against the other. The appellant further claimed that the respondent, before getting married to him, had not obtained a divorce from the said Mr. Praveen Kumar, which implied that their marriage was void ab initio.

4. Before the learned Family Court, the respondent contended that (i) she had never hidden her previous ma