S.S.Subramani, J.

This appeal by the respondent is against the order passed in O.P. No.425 of 1991, on the file of the Principal Family Court, Madras.

2. The petition was filed under Sec.l2(l)(c) of the Hindu Marriage Act, for a declaration that the marriage between the parties that took place on 3. 1991 at Madras is null and void.

3. The parties in this appeal are referred to as in the Original Petition.

4. The material facts of the case are as follows: The marriage between the petitioner and the respondent took place on 3. 1991 at Madras. Prior to the marriage, on 30.11.1990, the petitioner’s parents visited the bride’s house to see the girl. It is alleged that the respondent’s father cleverly and cunningly stage-managed every minute of their presence in such a way that the actual seeing of the girl was restricted to less than a minute. It is further alleged that the respondent’s father never allowed the petitioner or his parents to think and react, and, under such conditions, he and his family felt that the negotiations for marriage could go on favourably. In fact, according to the petitioner, the respondent’s father voluntarily cut off the electricity supply on the