The Supreme Court has invoked its powers under Article 142 to grant a divorce to a couple, bringing an end to a prolonged matrimonial dispute that had continued for nearly a decade and involved multiple legal proceedings across courts.
Prolonged Dispute and Multiple Cases
The dispute between the husband and wife began after their marriage in 2010. The couple lived together for six years before separating in 2016. Despite living apart, the conflict persisted, eventually escalating into extensive litigation. The husband, a lawyer by profession, filed more than 80 cases against his wife, her family members and legal representatives in different courts. The matter travelled from lower courts to the Supreme Court, which described the prolonged litigation as a “family Mahabharata”.
FCRF Launches Premier CISO Certification Amid Rising Demand for Cybersecurity Leadership
Supreme Court Uses Article 142 Powers
A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta exercised special powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to pass the order, noting that such authority can be used to ensure complete justice in pending matters. The court ordered the dissolution of the marriage and directed the husband to pay Rs 5 crore to the wife as a one time alimony settlement.
The bench also directed the husband to file an undertaking stating that he would not initiate any further legal proceedings against the wife or her family members. Additionally, the court quashed all 80 cases that had been filed in connection with the dispute.
Custody and Financial Conditions
The court granted custody of the couple’s two minor children to the mother, while allowing the father visitation rights once every month. It also recorded that the wife is currently residing in her father in law’s flat, valued at Rs 5 crore, and directed that she may vacate the property only after receiving the full alimony amount.
The court observed that the husband had misused his legal knowledge during the course of the dispute. The order aims to bring finality to the long standing conflict and resolve all connected issues between the parties.
