Supreme Court Criticizes Unreasonable Alimony Demand of ₹5 Crore

The Supreme Court of India has issued a stern warning to a woman who sought ₹5 crore in alimony to finalize her divorce from her husband after a brief marriage lasting just over a year. The bench, led by Justice J.B. Pardiwala, characterized the demand as unreasonable and indicated that persistent insistence on this amount could lead to severe consequences for the petitioner.

The couple’s marriage lasted for only one year and two months, and the husband, employed as an engineer at Amazon, had initially offered ₹35 lakh as alimony. Justice Pardiwala remarked, “You will be making a mistake by calling her back. You won’t be able to keep her. The dreams are very big,” underscoring the court’s disapproval of the exorbitant request.

During a hearing on March 7, 2024, the Supreme Court urged both parties to reach a settlement and suggested that the matter could be resolved through mediation. The court’s comments reflect a growing concern regarding the demands placed on individuals in divorce proceedings, especially when they appear to exceed reasonable expectations.

The Supreme Court emphasized that if the wife’s position does not change, it would be compelled to issue an order that she may find unfavorable. The court expressed hope that the parties would approach the situation fairly to expedite the conclusion of the case.

Both parties have been directed to attend a mediation session at the Supreme Court’s mediation center. The court plans to revisit the issue after receiving the mediation report, indicating a focus on resolving the matter amicably while addressing the serious nature of the alimony claim.

As this case unfolds, it raises broader questions about financial expectations in divorce settlements and the implications of substantial alimony demands in legal proceedings.