PRADIPTA RAY, J.

( 1 ) THE respondent-wife Dalimba Sahu filed a petition before the family Court, Rourkela for restitution of conjugal rights u/s. 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act' ). The same was registered as Civil Procedure no. 165 of 1999. By judgment and decree dated July 24, 2000 the Family Court, rourkela granted a decree for restitution of conjugal rights and a maintenance of Rs. 700/- per month with effect from April 23, 1996 when the wife had to leave her matrimonial house. Against the aforesaid judgment and decree the husband Pradeep kumar Pradhan has filed the present appeal.

( 2 ) CASE of the wife, inter alia, is: she was married with the present appellant in 1994. Within 10 days of the marriage the members of the husband's family demanded a colour T. V. , Hero Honda Motor Cycle and Refrigerator as dowries. Wife's father expressed his helplessness and inability to satisfy such demand of the husband's family. As the father of the wife could not accede to their demand, the members of the husband's family started treating her as an undesirable and unwelcome person in the family. It has been alleged that she was not provided with food and