MARTHA A J BROWN Vs. AMRIT JASPER BROWN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is a reference under S. 17 of the Divorce Act, 1869, for confirmation of the decree nisi granted by the learned District Judge, Chandigarh.

(2.) The petitioner, Mrs. Martha A. J. Brown had presented the petition under S. 10 of the Divorce Act, 1869, on the allegations that she was married to respondent No. 1 Amrit Jas per Brown on May 25, 1977 in the Christ Church, Chandigarh. After living together with the petitioner till May 22, 1978, respondent No. 1 deserted her and left for Ghaziabad and later shifted to Kanpur where he secured employment as a teacher in the Hudsen Girls School, spurning all requests and messages to return to the matrimonial home made by the petitioner, respondent No. 1, on May 26, 1979 married one Darris Stella Clemant (who was also employed as a teacher in the School aforesaid according to Christian rites in the Church at Kanpur, Thereafter, both the respondents have been living as husband and wife at Kanpur.

(3.) Notice of the petition was served on both the respondents, but they refused to accept the summons and consequently the proceedings were ordered against them ex parte.