17-year separation ends: Omar Abdullah, Payal seek mutual divorce in Supreme Court
After years of legal proceedings, the long-running matrimonial dispute between Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his estranged wife, Payal Abdullah, is set to come to an end, with the couple jointly seeking a divorce by mutual consent before the Supreme Court.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Omar Abdullah, informed a bench of Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe on Friday that the couple had amicably resolved all their differences through mediation and had filed a joint application under Article 142 of the Constitution seeking dissolution of their marriage.
"Both of them have embraced freedom. It's all settled. Lordships may grant divorce. All other matters will be withdrawn," Sibal submitted before the court.
Responding to the submission, the bench said, "That's good. We will dispose of it on those terms."
Settlement reached through mediation
The court was informed that the joint application invoking Article 142 was filed on July 22 after the parties successfully concluded mediation.
Justice PS Narasimha said the Supreme Court would pass an order in accordance with the settlement arrived at between the couple.
All pending cases to be withdrawn
Sibal further told the bench that both Omar Abdullah and Payal Abdullah had agreed to withdraw all legal proceedings initiated against each other as part of the settlement.
The court said it would record those submissions in its final order.
Marriage ends after years of separation
Omar Abdullah and Payal Abdullah were married on September 1, 1994, and have two sons.
The couple has been living separately since 2009, with their matrimonial dispute spanning several years across different courts.
The settlement marks the end of a prolonged legal battle, paving the way for the Supreme Court to formally dissolve their marriage by exercising its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution.
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