P. Sathasivam, J.,

The appeal is directed against the common order passed by the Additional District Judge, Kanyakumari at Nagercoil dated 30-8-2001, made in O.P.Nos. 21/2001 and 32/2001 in and by which the District Judge dismissed O.P.No. 21/2001 filed for judicial separation under Section 22 of the Indian Marriage Act and allowed O.P.No.32/2001 granting custody of the minor children in favour of the applicant, namely G. Anantha Jeyakumar, respondent in this appeal. Since the present appeal is directed only against the order granting custody of the minor children made in O.P.No.32/2001, it is unnecessary for us to narrate the facts relating to O.P.No.21/2001.

2. The case of the petitioner-husband is briefly stated hereunder:

For convenience, we shall refer the parties as arrayed before the District Court. According to the petitioner, the marriage between him and the respondent-wife was performed on 3-9-87 at Saint Antony's R.C. Church, Anthoniar Vattom, Thiruvithamcode as per Christian Roman Catholic rites. The respondent begot two children. The petitioner is practising as Homeopathy Doctor. He constructed a house for the benefit of their family and children. It was he, w