The Supreme Court, invoking Article 142 of the Constitution, dissolved a 15-year estranged marriage, stating there was no purpose in perpetuating a relationship that had lost its meaning, while awarding Rs 1 crore as permanent alimony to the wife.
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NEW DELHI: In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India exercised its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to dissolve a marriage that had “ceased to have any meaning.” The Court ordered the husband to pay Rs 1 crore as permanent alimony and as a full and final settlement of all claims raised by his estranged wife.
The verdict, delivered by a Division Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta, arose from an appeal filed by the wife challenging a judgment of the Rajasthan High Court in a prolonged matrimonial dispute.
Case Background
The marriage between the parties was solemnized in 2009, and the couple had a son in 2010. The wife alleged mental and physical harassment by her in-laws, which led her to leave her matrimonial home and reside with her parents.
Subsequently, she filed multiple legal proceedings, including:
- An application under Section 125 CrPC for maintenance,
- A case under Section 12 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, and
- Claims for compensation and residence rights in the shared household.
The Trial Court directed the husband to pay:
- ₹10,000/month as maintenance for the wife,
- ₹5,000/month for the minor child,
- ₹5,000/month towards rent, water, and electricity, and
- ₹4 lakh compensation under Section 22 of the DV Act.
However, after multiple appeals and revisions, the Rajasthan High Court dismissed the wife’s application under Section 125 CrPC and set aside the compensation order. The wife then approached the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court’s Observations
The Apex Court noted that the parties had been living separately since April 2010, a period of over 15 years, and that all efforts at reconciliation through the Supreme Court Mediation Centre had failed.
The Bench observed:
“Years of acrimony and bitterness have defined their relationship, and despite the appellant-wife contesting the grant of divorce, we find that no marital bond survives between them. In these circumstances, there is no purpose in perpetuating a legal relationship that has ceased to have any meaning.”
Invoking Article 142, which empowers the Supreme Court to pass any order necessary for complete justice, the Bench dissolved the marriage and directed the husband to pay Rs 1 crore to the wife as permanent alimony.
Key Directions
- The husband must pay Rs 1 crore as a full and final settlement, covering all pending dues and claims, including those related to the minor child.
- The amount is deemed just, fair, and reasonable, considering the financial standing of both parties.
- The father is, however, not precluded from contributing to the child’s education in the future.
- The marriage stands legally dissolved by the Supreme Court’s decree under Article 142.
Case Title:
REKHA MINOCHA VERSUS AMIT SHAH MINOCHA & ORS.
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 1595 OF 2025
READ JUDGMENT