JUDGMENT

M.B.Snehalatha, J This appeal has been filed by the appellant/husband challenging the judgment and decree in O.P.No.588/2018 of Family Court, Ottapalam.

2. The parties shall be referred to by their rank in the Original Petition.

3. Petition was filed by the wife and children of the respondent contending as follows:

The marriage between the 1st petitioner and the respondent was solemnized on 26.2.2006 as per Islamic rites. Petitioners 2 to 4 are the minor children born in the said wedlock. At the time of marriage, 1^st petitioner was given 50 sovereigns of gold ornaments. After fixing the marriage, petitioner's father had entrusted an amount of ₹2,50,000/- to the respondent and his father. After the marriage, while the 1^st petitioner was residing at the matrimonial home as insisted by the mother and sister of the respondent, 1^st petitioner entrusted all her gold ornaments except the Mehr chain, two bangles and a pair of studs to them with the knowledge of the respondent. After two years of marriage, when the Mat.A No.142 of 2024 4 respondent wanted to start a business, 1^st petitioner demanded back the gold ornaments from the mother-in-law and sister-in-law. But they refused to