To recapitulate the relevant facts : the respondent was born in India in Ludhiana District; he was married to the first appellant in the year 1930; he migrated to Africa and took up a job there 85 as a police officer; he came back to India in or about 1943 and lived with the first appellant in a house at Hans Kalan for about 5 months and thereafter he left again for Africa; 5 or 6 years thereafter, he again came to India on leave and took her to Africa where she gave birth to a daughter; the appellant was sent back to India and she was staying in Ludhiana District with the child; the respondent 's mother is staying in the aforesaid village in the same district and it is also not disputed that the respondent has purchased property worth Rs. 25,000/ in Ludhiana District in the name of his minor children by his second wife; when the petition was filed he was admittedly in the district of Ludhiana indeed, notice was served on him in that district, he filed a counter affidavit, obtained exemption from personal appearance at the time of hearing and thereafter left for Africa.