1. The circumstances giving rise to this appeal may be briefly stated as under:-

2. Tara Chand appellant was married to Shrimati Narain Devi respondent on February 28, 1960 at Bassi Pathana, and thereafter they had been living as husband and wife at different places, and had last resided as such, in the month of September, 1968, at Nangal Township. No issue was, however, born from their wedlock. On September 26, 1968, Kishan Chand-the father of the respondent, accompanied by his nephew-Nandu Ram, Chhinku Ram and Jumma Ram, visited the house of the appellant at Nangal and asked him to send the respondent with them to enable her to participate in the marriage of Nandu Ram, which was to be performed a few days later. He declined and told them that he would be sending her in the first week of the following month after receiving his salary. The said representation did not find favour with them, and on the night intervening between September 26 and 27, 1968, the respondent left his (the appellant s) house without his consent in the company of her father, and the aforesaid three persons. She had then carried away clothes and ornaments of the value of Rs. 8,000 with her. Thereafter