S. RAMACHANDRA IYER, C.J. :- This civil revision petition arises out of an order passed by the Principal Judge, City Civil Court, Madras, in a matrimonial cause granting permanent alimony to the respondent, the wife of the petitioner under the provisions of S. 25 of the Hindu Marriage Act (Act 25 of 1955). The facts which give rise to this civil revision petition are these :

The respondent was married to the petitioner on 11-1-1951. Soon thereafter the couple set up their home at Madras where the husband was employed as a clerk in the Revenue Department of the Government of Madras, on a modest salary of about Rs. 120 per month. The marriage unfortunately was not a success and there were misunderstandings between the couple even from the very beginning. Within a month after they set up their home, the wife left her husband for her fathers house at Conjeevaram taking with her all her belongings. Attempts by husband to bring her back did not succeed, but it is stated that the respondent came to Madras and stayed with her husband for about 15 days in August 1956 in connection with the obsequial ceremonies of the petitioners father. But even then she is said to have stayed in he