(1.) The above appeal is filed against the judgment in O.P. No. 873 of 2015 on the files of the Family Court, Kottayam at Ettumanoor, dated 21.11.2015, whereby the Family Court has dismissed the Original Petition filed by the appellant refusing to declare the marriage between the appellant and the respondent null and void.
(2.) The facts required for the disposal of the appeal as discernible from the appeal memorandum are that: The appellant and respondent lived together from 1976 to 1987. They were not legally married. There was no customary marriage nor there was any registered marriage between the appellant and the respondent. The respondent and his family members were members of Communist Party of India (Marxist) and did not believe in customary marriage. The appellant was employed in the Middle East from 1987. Though the marriage was registered in the Panchayat, the said registration was not as per any valid law. After the appellant went to Middle East and got employment in King Fahad Hospital, the respondent separated from the appellant.
(3.) On 26.11.1993 the appellant was married by one Mr. D. Rajasekharan Nair as per a marriage agreement. After the death of the wife of Rajasekharan Nair, he married the appellant at Kalkulangara Bhagavathy Temple as per Hindu customary marriage and rites and ceremonies. The marriage was registered as per Kerala Marriage (Common) Rules, 2008 at Chanaganacherry Municipality on 06.11.2008. The appellant and the said Rajasekharan Nair were living together as husband and wife from 1995 onwards and their marriage was solemnized on 03.11.2008 as per the customs and traditions prevailing in the Hindu community.