In a quiet yet significant order, the Supreme Court of India has brought closure to a long-drawn matrimonial dispute between Sweety Kumari and Ranjan Kumar Singh. The bench comprising Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Justice Atul S. Chandurkar exercised its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to dissolve the marriage by mutual consent on September 24, 2025.
The Court’s decision followed an amicable settlement reached through the Supreme Court Mediation Centre, ending years of litigation that had sprawled across Bihar and Jharkhand courts.
Background
The couple, married in March 2017 at Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, had been living separately since November 2019 due to personal differences. Sweety Kumari later approached the Supreme Court seeking transfer of a matrimonial case filed by her husband in Katihar, Bihar, to Hazaribagh, citing convenience and safety concerns.
While the transfer petition was pending, the Court referred both parties to the Supreme Court Mediation Centre in July 2025. After several rounds of counseling and negotiation in August and early September, the parties finally arrived at a comprehensive settlement on September 2, 2025.
As per the agreement, Ranjan Kumar Singh paid a total sum of ₹8.15 lakh to his wife towards her stridhan, maintenance, and permanent alimony. Additionally, Sweety Kumari agreed to refund any maintenance amounts auto-deducted from her husband’s salary post-settlement and to withdraw all pending cases filed against him.
Court’s Observations
Taking note of the joint application and the detailed settlement agreement, the bench appreciated the mediation efforts that led to a “peaceful resolution of personal discord.”
“The bench observed, ‘We find this to be a fit case for exercising our power under Article 142 of the Constitution to dissolve the marriage between the parties.’”
The Court further recorded that both Sweety Kumari and Ranjan Kumar Singh had filed affidavits confirming that their consent was voluntary, without coercion or pressure from any side. It also highlighted that all pending cases - both civil and criminal - arising out of the marriage were to be withdrawn in accordance with the settlement.
The judges appeared satisfied that the agreement had genuinely resolved all disputes, remarking that such mediated settlements prevent further bitterness and unnecessary litigation.
Decision
The Supreme Court formally dissolved the marriage that had been solemnized on March 1, 2017, granting a decree of divorce by mutual consent. It also directed that four pending cases before the Family Courts in Katihar and Hazaribagh - including maintenance and criminal complaints - be disposed of in line with the consent terms.
The Registry has been instructed to draw up a decree accordingly, and copies of the order have been sent to the concerned lower courts for follow-up action.
Concluding the matter, the bench stated that both parties must “abide by the terms of the settlement implicitly,” marking the legal end of a troubled marriage that ultimately found resolution not through conflict, but through understanding.
Case Title: Sweety Kumari v. Ranjan Kumar Singh | Transfer Petition (Civil) No. 1481 of 2025 | Supreme Court of India
Petitioner: Sweety Kumari (Wife)
Respondent: Ranjan Kumar Singh (Husband)
Date of order: September 24, 2025