10-year-old marriage dissolved: The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday dissolved a marriage after nearly a decade of the couple parting ways with each other, bringing an end to what it described as a ‘matrimonial battle of Mahabharata proportions.’ While making the striking verdict, the court saw that the estranged couple had been entangled in more than 80 cases over the years.
Bench orders husband to pay permanent alimony of Rs 5 cr
A bench of the apex court, comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta, directed the husband to pay Rs 5 crore as permanent alimony to his wife. The court noted that the prolonged separation and acrimonious litigation had irretrievably broken down the marriage, leaving no room for reconciliation.
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The justices also observed that the scale and the intensity of the dispute had gone far beyond a typical matrimonial disagreement, involving not just the couple but also their kin and even legal representatives.
10-year-old marriage dissolved: SC rebukes husband over his conduct
The court came down heavily on the husband, who is a practising lawyer, accusing him of misusing his legal knowledge to prolong proceedings and obstruct justice. The bench observed that he had filed multiple cases across various forums, including nine separate complaints directed at the wife’s legal counsel. The bench viewed the actions as attempts at intimidation.
Furthermore, the court rejected his claim of financial incapacity, and termed his resignation from a corporate directorship as a ‘subterfuge’ aimed at evading alimony obligations.
Court holds that responsibilities cannot be evaded
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The bench junked the husband’s contention that his wife’s professional qualifications absolved him of responsibility, clarifying that financial independence does not negate legal and moral duties. It maintained that the husband remains bound to contribute towards the upbringing and future of their children. The bench then reaffirmed that parental obligations persist irrespective of the spouse’s income or career status.
Final directions by the court
In its final order, the apex court also directed the wife to vacate the apartment owned by the husband’s father, bringing closure to one of the many contentious aspects of the dispute.
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