A New Precedent? Supreme Court Hails "Rare Settlement" as Wife Walks Away With No Claims, Returns In-Laws' Gifts
Supreme Court grants mutual consent divorce, lauds wife for waiving claims and returning gifts
SC dissolves marriage, praises wife for no alimony, return of wedding gifts
The Supreme Court recently passed a decree of divorce by mutual consent, appreciating the separating wife for her extraordinary conduct of seeking no monetary claims and voluntarily returning gifts received from her husband's family.
The bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan was hearing the matter and allowed the couple's request to dissolve their marriage under mutual agreement.
The proceedings involved the husband and wife agreeing to separate. The wife, through her counsel, informed the Court that she had not sought any alimony or other financial compensation from the husband.
The lawyers initially discussed the return of the remaining items. The Court was informed that the woman was, in fact, returning the gold bangles that were gifted to her by the husband's mother during the wedding. The judges recorded this unique action.
The wife's counsel stated that her client wanted a clean separation and was willingly giving up any claims to make the process swift and peaceful. The counsel reiterated the wife's desire to simply move on.
Justice Pardiwala termed the resolution a "rare settlement" that the court had come across, emphasising the dignity shown by the wife.
The Court recorded its appreciation in its order, "This is one of the rare settlements we have come across where nothing has been demanded. On the contrary, the wife has handed over the gold bangles, which were gifted to her at the time of marriage. We appreciate this kind gesture, which is very rare to be seen nowadays."
When the wife joined the proceedings via video conference, Justice Pardiwala personally addressed her: "We have observed that this is one of the rare cases where there is no exchange of anything. We appreciate. Forget the past and live a happy life."
Using its special powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court dissolved the marriage and quashed any other pending legal proceedings between the parties, ensuring a final and clean separation.
Case Title: X vs Y
Order dated: 11.12.2025
Bench: Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan