Supreme Court Grants Divorce Under Article 142, Quashes All Proceedings and Awards INR 5 Crore Settlement in Bitter Matrimonial Dispute
Case Name: XXX v. YYY
Citation: 2026 INSC 334
Date of Judgment/Order: 07 April 2026
Bench: Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta
Held: The Supreme Court held that where a marriage has irretrievably broken down and prolonged litigation has become oppressive and counterproductive, the Court can exercise its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to dissolve the marriage, quash all pending proceedings between the parties (including those against relatives and advocates), and grant comprehensive financial and custodial reliefs to ensure complete justice.
Summary: The case arose from a decade-long matrimonial dispute marked by extreme acrimony, multiplicity of proceedings, and continuous non-compliance with maintenance orders by the husband. The appellant-wife had been pursuing execution of maintenance arrears while facing delays due to procedural and administrative issues. The record (notably pages 32–34 of the judgment) reflects that the respondent-husband had initiated numerous proceedings, including actions against the wife’s lawyers, which the Court found to be vindictive and vexatious in nature. The Court observed that the litigation had spiralled beyond ordinary matrimonial discord into a “hostile, cantankerous and vindictive” battle, adversely affecting the parties and their minor children. Taking note of prolonged separation since 2016, failed mediation attempts, and complete breakdown of marital relations, the Court concluded that continuation of such litigation would serve no useful purpose. It further emphasised that financial obligations toward wife and children cannot be evaded through tactical litigation or concealment of income. The Court also considered the welfare of the children, the need for stable accommodation, and the financial background of the parties in crafting a final settlement.
Decision: The Supreme Court allowed the appeal and exercised powers under Article 142 to dissolve the marriage, quash all pending civil and criminal proceedings between the parties and their associates, grant custody of children to the wife with structured visitation rights to the husband, and direct payment of a consolidated sum of INR 5 crores toward permanent alimony, maintenance, child support, and litigation costs, thereby bringing a complete quietus to the dispute.