Authority: Supreme Court of India, Civil Original Jurisdiction

Order Date: 10 September 2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioners: Naga Chandra Vathana (wife) vs Respondent: S Ramesh Arvind (husband).
  • The petition (Transfer Petition (Civil) No.2616/2025) sought transfer of MC No.3711 of 2025, a divorce petition filed by the husband.
  • On 19‑12‑2025 the parties were referred to the Supreme Court Mediation Centre; a Settlement Agreement dated 25‑05‑2026 was signed by both parties, their counsels, and the mediator.
  • The settlement, digitally signed by KAVITA PAHUJA on 15‑09‑2026, provides for dissolution of marriage under Article 142 of the Constitution.
  • Financial terms: payment of Rs 25 lakhs to the wife as full and final settlement covering permanent alimony, Stridhan, maintenance (past, present, future) and any other claim.
  • The payment is to be effected through three demand drafts drawn on HDFC Bank:

1. DD No. 4194 dated 03‑09‑2026 for Rs 8,00,000.

2. DD No. 4207 dated 07‑09‑2026 for Rs 8,00,000.

3. DD No. 4198 dated 04‑09‑2026 for Rs 9,00,000.

  • Clause ‘C’ of the Settlement Agreement mandates withdrawal of the following pending proceedings within four weeks of the final Supreme Court order:
  • Petition for permanent custody of minor child Jeevika (GWOP No. 516 of 2022).
  • Hindu Marriage Original Petition No. 414 of 2022 seeking interim custody of Jeevika.
  • Divorce petition MC No. 3711 of 2025 filed before the Principal Judge, Family Court, Bengaluru.
  • Both parties will bear their own costs for the withdrawn cases.

Final Outcome

  • The Court, invoking Article 142, decrees dissolution of marriage as per the settlement; the settlement becomes part of the decree.
  • The three demand drafts totaling Rs 25 lakhs are to be paid to the wife.
  • All proceedings listed in Clause ‘C’ are to be withdrawn/quashed/closed as stipulated.
  • Transfer Petition (Civil) No.48/2026 is rendered infructuous and disposed of.
  • Any pending applications in both transfer petitions are also disposed of.

Topics: Divorce Settlement, Family Law, Court Order