New Delhi, July 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court on Friday said it would pass an order dissolving the marriage of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his estranged wife, Payal Abdullah, in accordance with the settlement reached between the two through mediation.
A Bench comprising Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe recorded the settlement after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Omar Abdullah, informed the court that all matrimonial disputes between the parties had been amicably resolved and that both had mutually agreed to end 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 All other matters will be withdrawn,” Sibal submitted before the Bench.
Taking note of the submission, Justice Narasimha observed, “That’s good. We will dispose of it on those terms.”
The settlement brings to a close a prolonged legal dispute between the couple, who married in September 1994 and have been living separately since 2009. They have two sons.
Omar Abdullah had initially sought divorce before the Family Court on the grounds of cruelty and desertion. However, the Patiala House Family Court dismissed his petition in August 2016, holding that he had failed to establish the allegations or prove that the marriage had irretrievably broken down.
The decision was later upheld by the Delhi High Court in December 2023. A Division Bench of Justices Sanjeev Sachdeva and Vikas Mahajan ruled that the allegations of physical and mental cruelty were vague and unsubstantiated, finding no merit in the appeal.
Subsequently, Omar Abdullah approached the Supreme Court, invoking Article 142 of the Constitution, which empowers the apex court to do “complete justice” in appropriate cases, including dissolving marriages that have irretrievably broken down.
During the proceedings, both parties agreed to explore mediation, prompting the Supreme Court to refer the matter for an amicable resolution. Following the successful mediation process, the parties informed the court that all outstanding disputes had been settled and that connected proceedings would be withdrawn.
The Supreme Court has now indicated that it will formally dispose of the case in terms of the settlement reached between the parties.
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