Couple Who Stayed Together for 65 Days Face Supreme Court Fine After 40 Cases in 13 Years

New Delhi: In a unique case, the Supreme Court of India reprimanded a couple who stayed together for just 65 days but filed 40 cases against each other over 13 years. The court granted them a divorce and imposed a fine of ₹10,000 on each, warning against turning courts into battlegrounds.

Supreme Court Intervention
During the hearing, a bench comprising Justices Rajesh Bindal and Manmohan invoked Article 142 to finalize the divorce while prohibiting the couple from filing future cases against each other. The bench noted, “Given that the parties were together for only 65 days and have spent over a decade in relentless litigation, it is appropriate to penalize them with fines of ₹10,000 each. The amount shall be deposited with the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association.”

Court’s Observations
The judges emphasized that courts should not be used as arenas for personal vendettas. With over 40 cases filed by the couple in 13 years, the bench stressed alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including mediation, should be explored both pre-litigation and post-litigation. The court noted that while litigation, particularly criminal cases, reduces reconciliation chances, it does not eliminate it entirely.

Rising Marital Disputes
The bench highlighted the exponential rise in marital disputes in recent years and urged family members to intervene before conflicts reach the courts. The court observed that many transfer petitions—primarily filed by wives—clog the system, underscoring the need for genuine efforts to resolve disputes before initiating civil or criminal proceedings.

Case Background
The couple married in January 2012, but the wife left after 65 days, alleging cruelty by her husband and his family. Since then, they have remained separated and filed numerous cases against each other in family and high courts across Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.