Vinod K. Sharma, J.—This application under Section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act has been moved by the applicant-appellant, for grant of maintenance pendente lite and litigation expenses.

2. It has been averred in the application, that the respondent/husband is earning a sum of Rs.12,000 (Rupees twelve thousand only) per month, and in addition has sufficient bank balance from which he is earning interest, therefore, his monthly income is more than Rs.15,000 (Rupees fifteen thousand only) per month.

3. Reply to the application has been filed, wherein preliminary objection has been taken, that the present application, under Section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act is not maintainable, as at the time of marriage, the applicant-appellant had a living spouse, therefore, the marriage between the parties was null and void, therefore, the applicant- appellant could not be treated to be a wife to be entitled to maintenance under Section 24. It is also pleaded in the reply, that the respondent-husband stands retired on 31.12.2004, and is getting a monthly pension of Rs,5,500 (Rupees five thousand five hundred only). It has also been pleaded, that he has to look after big family, which co