Marriage has completely broken down, pay Rs 1.25 crore to wife, Supreme Court's big decision in alimony case

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday dissolved the marriage of a couple and directed the man to pay Rs 1.25 crore as permanent alimony to his estranged wife. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said the couple had been living separately since 2010 and the man had remarried in March 2017. The bench said, "We do not see any justification in continuing the legal relationship between the two parties. The marriage has completely broken down." What did the Supreme Court say? The apex court passed this verdict on an appeal filed by the man against the August 2018 order of the Madras High Court. The High Court had accepted the woman's petition and set aside the divorce order given by a family court in October 2016. The Supreme Court said, "It is clear that there is no scope for reconciliation between the parties. They have been living separately since 2010 i.e. for about 15 years. There is no sign of marital relationship between them and neither of the parties has shown any willingness to settle their differences."

Permanent alimony to woman and her son
The court used its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, terming it a fit case for granting divorce. The apex court also deemed it appropriate to award a lump sum amount as permanent alimony to the woman and her son. It was brought to the notice of the court that the man had not provided financial support during the legal battle. The apex court said, "We direct the appellant to pay Rs 1.25 crore as permanent alimony and all other claims of the wife will be treated as fulfilled."