( 1 ) THIS appeal preferred under Section 28 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, is directed against the judgment and decree dt. 23-12-1991 by Third Additional District Judge, Bhopal; dismissing the petition under Sections 13 (1) (ia) and 13 (1) (ib) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (hereinafter referred to as the 'act' for short), praying for divorce.

( 2 ) UNDISPUTEDLY, the parties were married in the month of February, 1976 at, Indore. Both of them were minors at the; time of their marriage. It is also not in dispute that the elder sister of respondent was also married to the elder brother of petitioner on the same day, on which the parties were married. The 'gauna' ceremony took place in the year 1978; whereafter, the respondent/wife came to the house of petitioner/ husband for a short while and then went back to the house of her parents. She continued to reside with her parents at Indore till the year 1983. The parents of appellant/husband are permanently residing at Bhopal. It is also now not in dispute that the parties last resided together at Bhopal, till the year 1984, whereafter the respondent is living with her parents.

( 3 ) THE petitioner filed an applicat