1. This appeal is directed against the judgment and decree dated 25.10.2012 vide which the petition under Section 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (in short "the Act of 1955") filed by respondent-wife Mamta Rani for dissolution of her marriage with appellant-husband Sunny Kumar, was allowed. Precisely, the relevant facts which need elaboration are as under:-

The marriage between appellant Sunny Kumar and respondent Mamta Rani was solemnized on 14.09.2006 at Ludhiana according to Hindu rites and ceremonies. Mamta Rani alleged that the marriage was performed without her consent and the consent of her parents. After marriage, she did not live with Sunny Kumar. The marriage was never consummated and no issue was born/conceived out of the wedlock.

Disclosing the backdrop of marriage, Mamta Rani pleaded that she was a student of B.A. Part-II in Khalsa College for Women. She developed friendly relations with Sunny Kumar when she was a minor. After she attained the age of majority in August, 2006, she was allured to marry him. He represented that he was employed as a Coach in Satluj Club, Ludhiana and was having a 'Kothi' in Chander Nagar area and was a Brahmin by caste. He