The Supreme Court Today (Aug 5) settled a bitter divorce fight by granting a Mumbai flat to the ex-wife instead of Rs 12 crore. The Court stressed self-reliance for educated individuals in alimony matters.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India finally ended the long legal battle between a husband and wife. The Court ordered the husband to give his ex-wife a flat in Mumbai as part of her alimony, thus closing the chapter of this high-profile case.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran officially granted divorce to the couple after they agreed to this property settlement. The couple had been fighting a legal war after the wife demanded Rs 12 crore and a flat from her estranged husband.
The case grabbed attention after the woman made a hefty demand despite the marriage lasting for only 18 months.
On July 21, when the case came up in the Supreme Court, the Bench took note of the woman’s demand and showed concern over the high amount she was asking for.
Chief Justice BR Gavai observed that the flat in question was located in Kalpataru, a reputed housing project in Mumbai. He then asked about the woman’s background and came to know that she had an MBA degree and professional experience in the IT field.
At that point, the CJI asked her directly,
“You are employable in places like Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Why not work?”
Looking at how short the marriage was, the Chief Justice commented with surprise-
“It lasted just 18 months. And you are seeking a crore a month?”
The husband’s legal counsel, Senior Advocate Madhavi Divan, told the Court that the woman was educated and capable of working, and she should not expect lifelong financial support from the husband.
“She is educated and capable of working,”
-Divan said, while pointing out that the woman’s demand was too high and not justified by the law.
The Bench then asked for the husband’s income tax documents to decide what would be a fair and reasonable alimony amount. Again, the CJI emphasized that the wife had no right to claim her husband’s family property.
Eventually, the Bench said that the wife had two choices: either take the Mumbai flat without any legal dispute attached or accept a one-time payment of Rs 4 crore.
The Chief Justice also firmly said that educated and skilled individuals should not purposely remain jobless and then ask for high maintenance. He stressed the value of dignity and independence in life.
On July 21, he told the woman,
“You are well educated. You should not be depending on handouts. You should earn and live with dignity.”
“You are well educated. You should not be depending on handouts. You should earn and live with dignity.”
– Supreme Court
Today, the Supreme Court gave its final decision and officially ended the legal fight by allowing the flat in Mumbai to be transferred to the woman.
CASE TITLE:
ANURAG VIJAYKUMAR GOEL VERSUS STATE OF MAHARASHTRA & ANR.
Criminal Appeal No. 5277 of 2024
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