IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION (@ SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION (CIVIL) NO. 27380 OF 2025)

PANKAJ KUMAR BAZAZ APPELLANT VERSUS MADHU KUMARI RESPONDENT

O R D E R

1. Heard learned counsel for the parties. The parties are also present in Court.

2. Leave granted.

3. The dispute in this appeal is of a matrimonial nature arising from the divorce proceedings initiated by the appellant-husband. His suit for divorce has been dismissed by the courts below.

4. The parties were married on 20.05.2004 and have not cohabited together since 2005.

5. Learned counsel for the parties submit that the Signature Not Verified parties have settled the dispute by means of a Settlement Digitally signed by GEETA AHUJA Date: 2026.03.12 Reason:

Agreement executed on 15.01.2026. The original of the Settlement Agreement along with xerox copy has been placed before the Court for the purposes of perusal.

6. The parties accept the said settlement and that they have signed the same of their own free will. We have gone through the aforesaid Settlement Agreement. Under the settlement, the parties have agreed to divorce each other and live separately, provided the appellant-husband pays a sum of Rs.40,00,000/- (Rupees Forty Lakhs only) as permanent alimony in full and final settlement of all the claims of the respondent-wife. It is submitted that the entire amount of the alimony so agreed upon has already been paid to the respondent-wife which fact is admitted to the respondent.

7. In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances, we consider that it is an appropriate case, where we should exercise our jurisdiction under Article 142 of the Constitution of India.

8. Accordingly, exercising the said powers, we grant divorce to the parties in terms of the aforesaid settlement. I.A. No. 37172/2026 which has been jointly filed for a divorce by mutual consent stands allowed and a decree of divorce be drawn accordingly.

9. The original of the Settlement Agreement is directed to be returned to the parties retaining the xerox copy of the same and the said xerox copy will form part of the decree.

10. The appeal stands disposed of. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.

.......................J.

(PANKAJ MITHAL)

.......................J.

(S.V.N. BHATTI)

NEW DELHI

10th MARCH, 2026.

GA

ITEM NO.55 COURT NO.9 SECTION XVI S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS PETITION(S) FOR SPECIAL LEAVE TO APPEAL (C) NO(S). 27380/2025 [Arising out of impugned final judgment and order dated 19-09-2024 in MA No. 298/2016 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Patna]

PANKAJ KUMAR BAZAZ PETITIONER(S)

VERSUS MADHU KUMARI RESPONDENT(S)

(IA No. 209274/2025 - APPLICATION FOR DIVORCE IA No. 37172/2026 - APPLICATION FOR DIVORCE IA No. 209262/2025 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT)

Date : 10-03-2026 This matter was called on for hearing today.

CORAM :

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PANKAJ MITHAL HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.V.N. BHATTI For Petitioner(s) Dr. Alakh Alok Srivastava, AOR Mr. Arpit Dangi, Adv.

For Respondent(s) Mr. Ankit Kalra, Adv.

Mr. Sunil Kumar Sharma, Adv.

Mr. M.N. Gopinadh, Adv.

Mr. Seshatalpa Sai Bandaru, AOR UPON hearing the counsel the court made the following

O R D E R

1. Leave granted.

2. The appeal stands disposed of in terms of the signed order. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.

(Nidhi Mathur) (Geeta Ahuja)

Court Master (NSH) Assistant Registrar-cum-PS (Signed Order is placed on the file)