Supreme Court Directs Omar Abdullah, his Estranged Wife to Mediation for Marital Settlement

The Supreme Court on Friday directed former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his estranged wife, Payal Nath to appear before its mediation centre in an effort to facilitate a settlement between the parties. The matter was heard by a bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah.

The top court emphasized the importance of mediation and asked both parties to work towards a resolution, instructing them to appear at the Supreme Court mediation centre. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal represented Omar Abdullah, while Senior Advocate Shyam Diwan appeared on behalf of his estranged wife. Both advocates suggested mediation as a possible route to settlement.

The Supreme Court acknowledged that while some marriages may not be salvageable, an attempt should still be made to reach a settlement. Omar Abdullah has challenged a Delhi High Court order dated December 12, 2023, which dismissed his plea against a family court ruling that denied him a divorce from his estranged wife.

Earlier, Delhi’s Patiala House Court had rejected his divorce petition on August 30, 2016, which he had filed in 2013, citing cruelty as the grounds. The couple, who married in September 1994, have been living apart since 2009 and share two sons.

The Delhi High Court, in dismissing Omar Abdullah’s appeal, upheld the family court’s decision, stating that there was no infirmity in the ruling. The high court further noted that the allegations of cruelty made by Omar Abdullah against his wife were vague and that he failed to substantiate any claims of cruelty, whether physical or mental. Consequently, the high court dismissed the appeal as being without merit, affirming the family court’s earlier decision that he had not proven his claims of cruelty or desertion.

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