Recently, the Supreme Court made a notable ruling in a contentious matrimonial case, compelling a man to provide his ex-wife with an apartment in Mumbai as alimony. The decision was delivered by a bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, alongside Justice K Vinod Chandran, who granted divorce to the couple based on an alimony agreement.

This case drew considerable attention, particularly after the wife had sought an extravagant sum of ₹12 crore, in addition to an apartment from her estranged partner.

During the hearing on July 21, the court expressed concern regarding the wife's demands, especially given the brief duration of their marriage and the woman's professional credentials. The CJI pointed out that the flat under discussion was in Kalpataru, a prestigious housing project.

The bench inquired about her educational background and discovering that she held an MBA and had experience in the IT industry they stated,“You are employable in places like Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Why not work?” they asked, nudging her toward self-sufficiency.

Revisiting the short 18-month marriage, the CJI remarked, “It lasted just 18 months. And you are seeking a crore a month?” Senior Advocate Madhavi Divan, who represented the husband, argued that expecting perpetual financial support was unreasonable. She stated, “She is educated and capable of working,” highlighting that her demands were both excessive and unfounded in legal principles.

The Bench sought the husband's income tax records to assess appropriate financial arrangements and ultimately reserved its judgment.

The CJI reminded the woman that she could not claim assets owned by her husband's family, while clarifying her options moving forward: accept the flat without legal encumbrances or opt for a one-time settlement of ₹4 crore.

He underscored the importance of self-reliance, stating, “You are well educated. You should not be depending on handouts. You should earn and live with dignity,” a sentiment he conveyed during the earlier hearings.

In a conclusive order, the court ruled to finalize the division, allowing the flat to be granted to the wife.

Case Details : ANURAG VIJAYKUMAR GOEL V. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA & ANR.