( 1 ) THIS appeal by the defendant/wife is directed against the judgment dated 30th January, 1996 in Civil Suit No. 38-A/1993 by III Additional District Judge, Raipur, whereby the application of the plaintiff/husband under Section 13 (1) (i-a) of the Hindu Marriage Act, (hereinafter referred to as the 'act' for short) has been allowed and a decree of divorce between the parties has been granted.

( 2 ) UNDISPUTABLY, both the parties are Hindus. Their marriage was solemnised on 5-7-1987 at Naharpara, Raipur, according to the Hindu rites and customs. A daughter was born out of the said wedlock on 20-12-1991. The parties thereafter resided together in different localities at Raipur.

( 3 ) THE case of the respondent/husband was that initially after the marriage, he was residing with the defendant/wife at Naharpara, Raipur. His wife started misbehaving and ill-treating him after 8-10 months of marriage. She used abusive language against the respondent husband and his family members. In the month of August, 1988, the defendant/wife refused to cook. When the husband/respondent questioned her, he was slapped by the wife. The husband/plaintiff complained to the parents of th