S. P. SRIVASTAVA

Feeling aggrieved by the judgment and order of the Family Court decreeing the Suit of the husband filed under Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act and annulling the marriage solemnized between the parties to the suit on 20-11-1975 providing, however, that the decree of annulment of marriage will come into effect on the payment of a lump sum amount of Rs. 5 lacs to the wife towards maintenance allowance to her, the wife has now approached this Court by means of the present First Appeal seeking redress praying for the reversal of the impugned decree.

2. We have heard the learned counsel for the wife - appellant as well as the learned counsel representing the husband - respondent and have carefully perused the record.

3. The facts in brief shorn of details and necessary for the disposal of this appeal lie in a narrow compass.

4. The Suit giving rise to this appeal had been filed on 9-1-1997 claiming a decree of divorce and annulment of the marriage praying for "Setting the petitioner (husband) at liberty from the marital ties". The husband had come up with the case that he had been married to the defendant-wife on 20-11-1975 out of which wed-lock three sons we