SAIKIA, Actg. C.J. :- In this reference the decree nisi granted by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jaintia Hills District Jowai dated 28-8-86 in Divorce Suit No. 1 of 1986 declaring the marriage between the petitioner and the respondent null and void under S.19 of the Indian Divorce Act, 1869, for short the Act, has come up for confirmation under S.20 of the Act.

2. The petitioner Smt. Best Morning Khongthohrems case is that she was married to respondent Sri Nirmalendu Deb, then a widower, on 28-12-77 at the Church of Epiphany, Mawlynnong village according to the Christian rites. The ceremony was solemnised by Rev. Huxly B. Syngoh who issued the marriage certificate, Ext. I. After the marriage the parties lived and co-habited together at the Government quarter, Civil Hospital Compound, Jowai, where the respondent was posted as Pharmacist, for more than 6 years, but they had no issue. In the month of May, 1983 the respondent informed the petitioner that there was no possibility of her bearing any child from him as he had already undergone vasectomy operation prior to their marriage. The petitioner considered herself to have been cheated by the respondent in not disclosin