Fast Summary
- Supreme Court Action: The Supreme Court invoked special powers under Article 142 to dissolve an irreconcilable second marriage of eight years.
- Settlement Ordered: The husband was directed to gift his wife a flat worth Rs 4 crore in Mumbai as compensation. Additional demands for Rs 12 crore and a BMW car were rejected.
- Alimony Details: The court deemed the flat sufficient based on the woman’s qualifications (an engineer holding a master’s degree) and potential for self-sustainability. Her first marriage’s alimony was excluded from considerations in this divorce settlement.
- Other Directives: The husband must transfer ownership of the flat by August 30 and pay Rs 26 lakh dues to Kalpataru Society, Mumbai, by September 1.
- Court’s Observations: The bench dismissed reliance on LinkedIn profiles provided by the woman for judging her husband’s financial capacity, noting his current unemployment status.
- Legal Closure: All pending legal proceedings related to their marriage have been closed permanently with this judgment.
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Indian Opinion Analysis
The Supreme Court’s use of article 142 underscores its ability to provide equitable solutions in family disputes where relationships have irreparably broken down.In this case,fairness appeared central to balancing both parties’ circumstances-considering the man’s unemployment and the wife’s ability to maintain herself given her education and professional background. By rejecting extravagant claims (Rs 12 crore and luxury car), the court evidenced its inclination toward pragmatic settlements rather than speculative valuations.
This ruling also avoids setting precedents linking divorce settlements directly or excessively with social media profiles when determining financial capabilities-a measured approach preserving objectivity in sensitive cases like marital dissolutions.
The closure of all related legal proceedings reflects judicial efficiency aimed at preventing further conflicts between parties while enabling closure through judicious compensation arrangements.