NEW DELHI, AUGUST 6 2025 — Supreme Court of India has brought a close to a protracted eight-year matrimonial dispute by dissolving a marriage and awarding a prime Mumbai flat to the estranged wife as permanent alimony, while rejecting her fresh demands for ₹12 crore, a BMW car, and additional compensation.
The judgment was delivered on Monday by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, and Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria, who invoked Article 142 of the Constitution to grant the divorce, citing an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT
✅ 1. Prior Settlement Agreement Did Not Include ₹12 Crore Claim
The Court highlighted that both parties had mutually agreed to a settlement in 2022, which granted the wife a flat in Mumbai along with two parking spots. At that time, she had made no claim for ₹12 crore or additional alimony.
“As far as permanent alimony is concerned, the respondent had no such claim when entering into a settlement,” the Court observed.
✅ 2. Allegations of Fraud and Coercion Rejected
The estranged wife later alleged that she had signed the 2022 agreement under duress, but the Court dismissed these claims as unsubstantiated and vague.
“The allegation of misrepresentation and fraud are blandly raised without any substantiation,” the bench stated.
✅ 3. Wife’s Educational and Professional Background Considered
The Court took note of the wife’s educational qualifications—an engineering graduate with a postgraduate degree in management—and noted she was employed even at the time of estrangement.
“The respondent-wife is also a graduate Engineer with a Post-Graduate qualification in Management and was admittedly working, even at the time of the estrangement,” the Bench said.
✅ 4. Mumbai Flat Deemed Adequate for Post-Divorce Needs
The husband agreed to gift the wife a flat in the Kalpataru Habitat complex in Mumbai, complete with two car parking spaces. The Court found this a fair and sufficient settlement.
“The gift of the said property by the appellant to the respondent would reasonably take care of the respondent-wife even after divorce,” the Court noted.
✅ 5. ₹25.9 Lakh in Maintenance Dues to Be Paid by Husband
To ensure the wife wouldn’t face eviction, the Court recorded the husband’s commitment to clear all pending housing society dues.
“The appellant who was present before us in-person has agreed to pay up the entire maintenance charges as on date,” the Court said.
✅ 6. Husband’s Income Had Diminished Significantly
Once earning over ₹2.5 crore per annum while employed with Citi Bank, the husband’s income had reportedly dropped to less than ₹18 lakh, with no current employment.
“We find absolutely no reason to disbelieve the appellant’s contention that he is no more in employment with Citi Bank,” the Bench remarked.
✅ 7. LinkedIn Profile Dismissed as Evidence
The wife had cited the husband’s LinkedIn profile to argue he was still gainfully employed. However, the Court dismissed this as unreliable and insufficient evidence.
“We refuse to place any reliance on the ‘LinkedIn’ profile,” the Court clarified.
✅ 8. Additional Demands Would Unfairly Burden Husband
Considering the existing settlement and the husband’s financial obligations, including care for an autistic child, the Court ruled that any further monetary demands would be excessive.
“The terms of the settlement agreed upon according to us, does justice to the estranged wife and does not unduly burden the husband,” the Court held.
CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS QUASHED
With this judgment, the Supreme Court also:
Quashed all criminal proceedings under Sections 498A and 406 of the IPC, and
Barred both parties from initiating any further litigation related to the marriage.
FINAL DIVORCE SETTLEMENT TERMS
Divorce becomes effective once the Mumbai flat is gifted and ₹25.9 lakh in dues are paid to the housing society.
Deadline for compliance: August 30, 2025.
LEGAL PROVISIONS CITED
Article 142 of the Constitution – Empowered the Supreme Court to dissolve the marriage in the interest of complete justice.
Sections 498A and 406 IPC – Charges were dropped as part of the final resolution.
