KARANDEEP SINGH CHAWLA Vs. GURSHISH KARANDEEP CHAWLA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Appellant / husband seeking decree of divorce on the ground of mental cruelty and desertion had preferred petition under Sec. 13(i-a), 13(i-b) of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (in short 'H M Act') on 29/8/2018 before VIth Joint Civil Judge, Senior Division, Kalyan, District Thane (Maharashtra), which was transferred by Supreme Court vide order dtd. 13/9/2019 passed in T.C. (civil) no. 813/2019 to the court of Principal Judge, Family Court, Jabalpur and registered as case no. 1127/2019. After trial, Family Court dismissed petition by impugned judgment and decree dtd. 13/10/2020, which are assailed by appellant/husband in present appeal under Sec. 19 of the Family Courts Act, 1985 r/w Sec. 28 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

(2.) Marriage between parties was solemnized on 9/2/2014 according to Sikh Rights and Rituals at Ulhasnagar, District Thane (Maharashtra). They were blessed with a baby girl on 4/12/2014. It is admitted in present matter that they are living separately since 8/7/2014 and lived together for 5 months only.

(3.) For the sake of convenience, appellant hereinafter is referred to as "husband" and respondent as "wife". Husband's pleading in divorce petition :