Ekta and Ashutosh Bhatnagar's marriage was dissolved by mutual consent in a historic ruling by the Hon'ble supreme court of India, which used its extraordinary authority under Article 142 of the Constitution. This decision ended nearly nine years of acrimonious litigation that had taken place in three states: West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
 

On february 10, 2012, the couple's marriage was formally consummated in bikaner, Rajasthan, by Hindu traditions. After living together until december 2015, the pair experienced significant marital discord.  Throughout the proceedings, the petitioner (wife) has maintained custody of their little daughter, who was born in january 2014.

Many legal battles followed over the years, including the husband's divorce proceedings in bikaner and the wife's numerous criminal and maintenance proceedings in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh.  The wife filed a Transfer Petition [Transfer Petition (Civil) No. 405/2025] to have the divorce case transferred to Bareilly.
 
On april 15, 2025, the supreme court referred the parties to the supreme court Mediation Center in recognition of the protracted stress and complexity of litigation, laying the groundwork for a calm and organized settlement. After four virtual and in-person meetings, the mediation process resulted in a comprehensive Settlement Agreement signed by the parties, their attorneys, and the mediator designated by the court on june 18, 2025.  

Terms of the settlement:

• The husband consented to give the wife a one-time payment of Rs 16,92,000, which covered all other financial claims as well as alimony, maintenance, and streedhan.
 
 • Original lic insurance documents in the names of the wife and the minor daughter are transferred and turned over.
 
 • An extra Rs 92,000 was set aside to cover the ongoing lic premium payments.
 
 • The father was given weekly calls and monthly visitation rights, but the wife was given complete custody of the young daughter.
 
 • An Alto automobile (UP25AP9491), jewelry (as per List-B), and all home goods were given back to the wife.  The spouse paid for the petrol and transportation.
 
 • All of the wife's bank passbooks were turned in.

Both parties agreed to withdraw all ongoing cases, including:

• Divorce proceedings (Bikaner)
• Maintenance cases under CrPC Section 125
• Domestic Violence Act case
• criminal proceedings under IPC Sections 498A, 323, 504, 506, and the Dowry Prohibition Act
• criminal Revision and other pending litigation
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Divorce

SIBY JEYYA

04/08/2025 09:28 AM