BETTINI RANGAYYA Vs. BETTINI SESHARATHNAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS Is an appeal against the order of the learned Subordinate Judge of Tenali dismissing the petition under Section 5 of the Madras Act 6 of 1949, the Madras Hindu (Bigamy Prevention and Divorce) Act, 1949. The appellant is the. husband and the respondent is the wife and the petition is founded on Clause (c) of Section 5, namely, that the respondent deserted the appellant for a continuous period of not less than three years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition. This petition was opposed by the respondent on the ground that Clause (c) of Section 5 had no application to this case, because she had to live away from her husband owing to the cruel treatment meted out to her by him and that the right to live separately from her husband and get maintenance was declared in A.S. No. 59 of 1946 on the file of the Subordinate Judge's Court of Tenali.

(2.) TO appreciate the relative contentions of the parties, it is necessary to refer to the background of this litigation.

(3.) WHILE matters stood thus, Act 6 of 1949 was passed and the appellant who was obviously anxious to get rid of the decree against him for payment of maintenance to his wife, sought the benefit of Section 5 of the Act and for that purpose filed the petition giving rise to this appeal.