The Supreme Court of India brought an end to a prolonged and intensely contested marital dispute by dissolving a marriage in which the couple had been living separately for nearly a decade. Describing the case as a “matrimonial battle of Mahabharata,” the bench noted the extraordinary scale of litigation, with over 80 cases filed between the parties, their relatives, and even their legal representatives.
In its ruling, delivered by Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, the Court directed the husband to pay ₹5 crore as permanent alimony to the wife. The judges took a stern view of the husband’s conduct, observing that he had repeatedly exploited his legal knowledge as a lawyer to prolong proceedings and obstruct the course of justice.
The bench was particularly critical of the husband’s attempts to target the wife’s legal counsel, pointing out that he had initiated multiple cases across different forums in what appeared to be an effort to intimidate and harass them. The Court interpreted this pattern of conduct as a deliberate strategy to frustrate the judicial process rather than resolve the dispute.
The husband’s claim of financial inability to pay alimony was also rejected. The Court noted that his resignation from a corporate position appeared to be a calculated move to avoid financial responsibility, terming it a “subterfuge.” It further clarified that the wife’s professional qualifications and employment status did not absolve the husband of his legal and moral obligations, particularly with regard to supporting their children.
Highlighting the rising costs of living and education, the Court emphasised that parental responsibility cannot be diluted based on the other spouse’s financial independence. It reaffirmed that the husband remains bound to contribute to the welfare and future of the children.
At the same time, the Court directed the wife to vacate an apartment owned by the husband’s father, balancing property rights while concluding the long-running legal battle. The judgment effectively closes a decade-long dispute marked by excessive litigation and contentious proceedings.
