Tag: Family Law

Marriage Dead: Supreme Court Dissolves Union, Quashes 498A Case in Landmark Irretrievable Breakdown Ruling
6Sep By The Legal ChamberNo Comments
Supreme Court

Marriage Dead: Supreme Court Dissolves Union, Quashes 498A Case in Landmark Irretrievable Breakdown Ruling

The Supreme Court, invoking its extraordinary power under Article 142 of the Constitution, dissolved the marriage on the ground of irretrievable breakdown. It quashed the pending criminal proceedings under Section 498-A IPC, finding the allegations to be vague and arising from marital discord, while upholding the terms of a settlement agreement for a clean break. Facts Of The Case: The marriage between Anurag Goel (appellant-husband) and the second respondent (wife) took place on July 25, 2015, following prior divorces for both. After approximately one year and nine months of conjugal life, the relationship soured. The husband alleged constant harassment, leading him to abandon the matrimonial home—a Mumbai apartment he owned—in April 2017 to move to Faridabad with his autistic child fro...
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Supreme Court: Criminal Cases Against In-Laws Can Be Dropped After Amicable Settlement
28Aug By The Legal ChamberNo Comments
Supreme Court

Supreme Court: Criminal Cases Against In-Laws Can Be Dropped After Amicable Settlement

This Supreme Court, invoking Article 142 of the Constitution, quashed all criminal proceedings arising from matrimonial discord, including charges under Section 494 and 498A IPC. Relying on precedents, it held that continuing prosecution after a full and final settlement and divorce constitutes an abuse of the legal process and serves no legitimate purpose. Facts Of The Case: The marriage between the respondent-wife and the appellant's brother was solemnized in 2001. The couple moved to the USA, but their relationship soured, leading to a mutual divorce decree from a California court in 2007. After returning to India, the wife initiated multiple legal proceedings against her husband and his family (the appellants). These included a complaint case alleging cruelty, a case under the Domest...
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Supreme Court Ends Bitter Divorce Battle: Key Takeaways on Custody & Settlement
16Aug By The Legal ChamberNo Comments
Supreme Court

Supreme Court Ends Bitter Divorce Battle: Key Takeaways on Custody & Settlement

The Supreme Court, invoking Article 142, dissolved the marriage between Shivangi Bansal and Sahib Bansal, quashing all pending civil/criminal cases between them and their families. The wife retained custody of their daughter, while the husband secured visitation rights. Mutual undertakings barred future litigation, and an unconditional apology was mandated. Property transfer and police protection were also ordered, ensuring a conclusive settlement. Facts Of The Case: The case involves Shivangi Bansal (wife) and Sahib Bansal (husband), who married in December 2015 and had a daughter in 2016. After marital discord, they separated in October 2018, leading to multiple legal battles across courts in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. The wife filed cases under Sections 498A, 406 IPC, and the Domestic V...
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Landmark Ruling: Supreme Court Restores Mother’s Custody Based on Psychological Reports
11Aug By The Legal ChamberNo Comments
Supreme Court

Landmark Ruling: Supreme Court Restores Mother’s Custody Based on Psychological Reports

The Supreme Court exercised its review jurisdiction under Article 137 of the Constitution, emphasizing the limited scope of review and the paramount consideration of the child's welfare in custody matters. The Court recalled its earlier order, restoring custody to the mother while granting visitation rights to the father, citing the child's mental health and stability as decisive factors. The judgment reaffirmed that custody orders are interlocutory and subject to modification based on the child's evolving best interests, aligning with the doctrine of parens patriae. The Court underscored the necessity of a stable environment for the child's holistic development and cautioned against abrupt changes in custody arrangements. Facts Of The Case: The case involves a custody dispute between Ne...
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Landmark Ruling: Supreme Court Dissolves Marriage Under Article 142 for Unhappy Couple
11Aug By The Legal ChamberNo Comments
Supreme Court

Landmark Ruling: Supreme Court Dissolves Marriage Under Article 142 for Unhappy Couple

The Supreme Court granted divorce under Article 142 on the ground of irretrievable breakdown of marriage, citing 16 years of separation and failed reconciliation. It upheld the husband’s acquittal in a false cruelty case (IPC 498A) and enhanced maintenance to ₹15,000/month for the wife and child, prioritizing dignity over a defunct marital bond. Facts Of The Case: The marriage between Pradeep Bhardwaj (appellant-husband) and Priya (respondent-wife) was solemnized on 7 May 2008 in Delhi under Hindu rites. A son was born in 2009, who remained in the wife’s custody. The couple separated in October 2009, just over a year after marriage, and had been living apart for 16 years by the time of the Supreme Court’s judgment. The husband filed for divorce in 2010 under Section 13(1)(a) of the Hindu...
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Supreme Court Landmark Judgment Allows Secret Spouse Recordings as Evidence in Divorce Cases
7Aug By The Legal ChamberNo Comments
Supreme Court

Supreme Court Landmark Judgment Allows Secret Spouse Recordings as Evidence in Divorce Cases

The Supreme Court held that covertly recorded conversations between spouses are admissible as evidence in divorce proceedings under Section 122 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, which permits disclosure of marital communications in suits between married persons. The Court clarified that such evidence does not violate the right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution, as Section 122’s exception prioritizes fair trial rights over spousal privacy in matrimonial disputes. The ruling emphasized that Family Courts can admit such evidence if it meets the relevance, authenticity, and accuracy standards under Sections 65A and 65B of the Evidence Act, which govern electronic records. The judgment harmonized the Evidence Act’s provisions with the Family Courts Act, 1984, ensuring procedural f...
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Husband’s Income vs Wife’s Rights: Supreme Court’s Decision on Permanent Alimony”
13Jun By The Legal ChamberNo Comments
Supreme Court

Husband’s Income vs Wife’s Rights: Supreme Court’s Decision on Permanent Alimony”

The Supreme Court enhanced the appellant-wife's permanent alimony to ₹50,000 per month with a 5% increase every two years, modifying the High Court's order. The Court held the previous alimony inadequate given the respondent-husband's income and the appellant's need to maintain her standard of living. Financial support for the 26-year-old son was not mandated. Facts Of The Case: Rakhi Sadhukhan (appellant-wife) and Raja Sadhukhan (respondent-husband) were married on June 18, 1997, and had a son on August 5, 1998. In July 2008, the respondent-husband filed Matrimonial Suit No. 430 of 2008 seeking divorce on grounds of cruelty. The appellant-wife then filed Misc. Case No. 155 of 2008 for interim maintenance, and the Trial Court awarded her ₹8,000 per month and ₹10,000 for litigation expens...
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Big Relief for Mothers: Supreme Court Backs Woman’s Right to Benefit After Remarriage
11Jun By The Legal ChamberNo Comments
Supreme Court

Big Relief for Mothers: Supreme Court Backs Woman’s Right to Benefit After Remarriage

The Supreme Court ruled that K. Umadevi is entitled to maternity leave under FR 101(a), setting aside the High Court Division Bench's decision. The Court emphasized a purposive and liberal interpretation of maternity benefit provisions, aligning with reproductive rights under Article 21 of the Constitution and international conventions, irrespective of prior children not in the mother's custody or born from a previous marriage. Facts Of The Case: K. Umadevi, the appellant, married A. Suresh in 2006, having two children from this wedlock in 2007 and 2011. Their marriage was dissolved in 2017, and the children remained in the custody of her former husband. In December 2012, she joined government service as an English Teacher in Tamil Nadu. On September 12, 2018, the appellant remarried M...
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Child Custody Battle : Supreme Court Eases Custody Rules for NRI Father
25May By The Legal ChamberNo Comments
Supreme Court

Child Custody Battle : Supreme Court Eases Custody Rules for NRI Father

The Supreme Court ruled that requiring a non-custodial parent to file repeated applications for visitation rights imposes undue procedural burdens. It held that interim custody arrangements must balance a child's welfare with both parents' rights, emphasizing structured access schedules over case-by-case approvals. The judgment establishes that meaningful parent-child contact shouldn't be hindered by procedural formalities when consistent involvement is demonstrated, particularly in transnational custody cases. The Court directed family courts to implement standing visitation orders pending final custody determinations. Facts Of The Case: The case involved a custody dispute between Eby Cherian (appellant), an engineer working rotational overseas postings, and Jerema John (respondent), a ...
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