IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA C.R. No.589 of 2007 SANJAY KUMAR Versus KIRAN KUMARI & ORS ----------- 2 21.8.2008 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner. In the opinion of this Court an amount of Rs 1000/- per month by way of maintenance pendente lite along with cost of litigation Rs 8000/- in lump sum can not be said to be either illegal or excessive even the plea of the petitioner is taken into account that there was no valid marriage between the petitioner and the opposite party. This question in fact will have to be gone into at the time of final decision of the Matrimonial case but till such decision is arrived at by the court below in accordance with law, the liability of the petitioner under section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act can not be altogether wiped out merely he denies factum of valid marriage. The court below is directed not only to ensure that the current and arrear amount as directed in the impugned order is realized from the petitioner within a period of three months from the date of receipt / production of a copy of this order but also is further directed to ensure that - 2 - Matrimonial suit filed by the petitioner is disposed of within one year from the date of receipt/production of a copy of this order. With the aforementioned observations/directions this application is dismissed. shahid (Mihir Kumar Jha, J)