Section 16. Decrees for dissolution to be

16. Decrees for dissolution to be nisi . —Every decree for dissolution of marriage made by a High Court[5] * shall in the first instance, be a decree nisi , not to be made absolute till after the expiration of such time, not less than six months from the pronouncing thereof, as the High Court, by general or special order from time to time, directs. Collusion. During that period any person shall be at liberty, in such manner as the High Court by general or special order from time to time directs, to show cause why the said decree should not be made absolute by reason of the same having been obtained by collusion or by reason of material facts not being brought before the Court. On cause being so shown, the Court shall deal with the case by making the decree absolute, or by reversing the decree nisi , or by requiring further inquiry, or otherwise as justice may demand. The High Court may order the cost of Counsel and witnesses and otherwise arising from such cause being shown, to be paid by the parties or such one or more of them as it thinks fit, including a wife if she have separate property. Whenever a decree nisi has been made, and the petitioner fails, within a reasonable time, to move to have such decree made absolute, the High Court may dismiss the suit. 6 [17. Power of High Court to remove certain suits. —During the progress of the suit in the Court of the District Judge, any person suspecting that any parties to the suit are or have been acting in collusion for the purpose of obtaining a divorce, shall be at liberty, in such manner as the High Court by general or special order from time to time directs, to apply to the High Court to remove the suit under section 8, and the Court shall thereupon, if it thinks fit, remove such suit and try and determine the same as a Court of original jurisdiction, and the provisions contained in section 16 shall apply to every suit so removed; or it may direct the District Judge to take such steps in respect of the alleged collusion as may be necessary, to enable him to make a decree in accordance with the justice of the case.] 1. The words "in the manner and subject to all the provisions and limitation in section 16 and 17 made declared" in paragraph 4 of section 14 omitted by Act 51 of 2001, s. 9 (w.e.f. 3-10-2001). 2. The words "without reasonable excuse," omitted by s. 10, ibid ., (w.e.f. 3-10-2001). 3. Subs. by s. 10, ibid., for "her adultery and cruelty" (w.e.f. 3-10-2001). 4. Subs. by s. 10, ibid., for "such cruelty" (w.e.f. 3-10-2001). 5. The words "not being a confirmation of a decree of a District Court" omitted by s. 11, ibid ., (w.e.f. 3-10-2001). 6. Subs. by s. 12, ibid ., for section 17 (w.e.f 3-10-2001). 17A. [ Appointment of officer to exercise duties of King's Proctor ].—[ Omitted by the Indian Divorce (Amendment) Act , 2001 (51 of 2001), s. 13 ( w.e.f. 3-10-2001).] IV.—NULLITYOF MARRIAGE