Supreme Court grants divorce and ₹5 crore settlement invoking Article 142 to end prolonged matrimonial litigation.
SC INVOKES ARTICLE 142 TO END MATRIMONIAL LITIGATION AND GRANT ₹5 CRORE SETTLEMENT
CASE SUMMARY - The Supreme Court inXXX vs. YYY (2026) addressed a prolonged matrimonial dispute involving maintenance non-payment and excessive litigation by the husband. Observing abuse of legal process and financial evasion, the Court held that the marriage had irretrievably broken down. Exercising powers under Article 142, it dissolved the marriage, granted custody of children to the wife, and ordered the husband to pay ₹5 crore as full settlement. All pending civil and criminal proceedings were quashed to ensure complete justice. The judgment emphasizes the Court's role in preventing harassment through litigation and prioritizing the welfare of children.
| ASPECTS | DETAILS |
| Case Title | XXX vs. YYY, Civil Appeal (Arising out of SLP (C) No. 28311 of 2024), Supreme Court of India (2026 INSC 334) |
| Introduction | A matrimonial dispute involving prolonged litigation between spouses concerning maintenance, custody, and multiple proceedings. The Supreme Court intervened under Article 142 to grant complete justice. |
| Factual Background | Marriage in 2010; separation in 2016. Two minor sons in custody of wife. Husband failed to pay maintenance despite Family Court orders. Numerous litigations and applications filed by husband. Wife sought enforcement of maintenance and expeditious proceedings. |
| Legal Issues | 1. Whether High Court erred in dismissing writ as infructuous. 2. Enforcement of maintenance orders. 3. Scope of Article 142 in matrimonial disputes. 4. Whether multiplicity of litigation warrants quashing proceedings. |
| Applicable Law | Article 142 Constitution of India; Article 227; Special Marriage Act, 1954; CrPC Section 340; CPC (Order XXXIX Rule 11); Maintenance jurisprudence (Rajnesh v. Neha). |
| Analysis | Court observed husband's conduct as vindictive, abusive of legal process, and evasive of financial obligations. Marriage irretrievably broken. Multiplicity of proceedings caused harassment. Welfare of children prioritized. Financial incapacity claim rejected. |
| Conclusion | Marriage dissolved. All proceedings quashed. Wife granted custody. Husband directed to pay ₹5 crore as full settlement. Visitation rights granted. |
| Current Scenario | Litigation concluded by Supreme Court. All pending cases closed. Financial settlement and compliance obligations imposed. Divorce finalized under Article 142. |
"Courts cannot allow justice to be defeated by endless litigation and deliberate non-compliance."
SOURCE - SUPREME COURT OF INDIA