1. The respondent in MFA. No. 652 of 1983 is the petitioner herein. The sole appellant in MFA. No. 652/83, the respondent in this petition, is the petitioner's husband. This petition is filed by the wife, petitioner, under S.24 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 which is to the following effect:

"24. Maintenance pendente hite and expenses of proceedings: Where in any proceeding under this Act it appears to the court that either the wife or the husband, as the case may be, has no independent income sufficient for her or his support and the necessary expenses of the proceedings, it may, on the application of the wife or the husband, order the respondent to pay to the petitioner the expenses of proceeding, and monthly during the proceeding such sum as, having regard to the petitioner's own income and the income of the respondent, it may seem to the court to be reasonable."

The respondent married the petitioner on 20-10-1974 There are two male children in the wed-lock. The parties are Hindus The petitioner is the second wife of the respondent. The respondent herein (husband) filed OP. No. 51 of 1980 under S.9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 praying for restitution of conjugal ri