Pay Rs 1.25 crore first, Supreme Court tells man over divorce plea

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has directed a man to pay Rs 1.25 crore to his estranged wife as part of a matrimonial settlement, according to a report by Bar and Bench.

The case, heard on Monday, saw sharp exchanges between both sides over financial obligations and the terms of an earlier settlement.

Counsel for the husband told the court: “we were only living together for 7 months. 1.65c rore I have already paid. What else will she take from me?” as quoted by Bar and Bench.

The wife’s counsel argued that the settlement had not been fully honoured, stating: “the wife’s gold was mortgaged.”

The bench then observed: “You return her 1kg gold.”

The husband’s counsel urged the court to bring the matter to a close, saying: “please put an end to this. Whole family can’t suffer because of this. I can’t afford anymore. My sister was in jail, my father was in jail.”



Responding, the wife’s counsel said: “as per settlement they should have given the amount as well as the gold.”

The husband’s counsel reiterated his inability to make further payments, adding: “I cannot pay anymore. 21 cases she has filed against my family. Please put an end to this. She’s like Shylock (from merchant of Venice) asking for a pound of flesh.”

After hearing both sides, the court ordered: “Pay 1.25cr (for the gold).”

The bench further stated that the divorce would be granted only after the payment is made.