JUDGMENT

ANIL KSHETARPAL, J.

1. Through the present Appeal, the Appellant assails the correctness of a judgment and decree dated 07.06.2024 [hereinafter referred to as ‘Impugned Judgment’] passed by the Family Court while granting declaration to the effect that her alleged marriage with the Respondent No.1 was void as it was solemnized in contravention of Section 11 read with Section 5 (1) of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 [hereinafter referred to as ‘ HMA ’].

2. The following two questions require adjudication in the present Appeal:

i. Whether the Appellant has successfully proved that ‘custom’ constitutes sufficient ground to take Panchayati Divorce among the ‘Jat’ community, thereby dissolving the marriage? and

ii. If the answer to the first question is in the affirmative, whether there was Panchyati Divorce amongst the Appellant and the Respondent No.1.

3. In order to comprehend the issues involved in the present case, the relevant facts in brief are required to be noticed.

4. The Appellant was previously married to Sh. Sanjay, whereas the Respondent No.1 was also previously married to some else. The Appellant claims that her marriage with Sh. Sanjay was dissolved by a customary divorce o