In a brief but emotionally layered hearing on Thursday, the Supreme Court brought an end to the marriage of Madhuri Sarawagi and Ankit Goyal, dissolving it under its extraordinary powers after both sides submitted a joint request for divorce. The courtroom atmosphere wasn’t tense-if anything, it felt like both parties had finally reached the last stop of a long, tiring journey. The bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh took the application on record and moved swiftly, ensuring the settlement didn’t get entangled in more procedural knots.
Background
The matter originally reached the Supreme Court through a transfer petition filed by Madhuri Sarawagi. Meanwhile, a divorce case (Petition No. 58 of 2024) was pending before the Principal Judge, Family Court in Nasirabad, Ajmer, Rajasthan.
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On Thursday, both spouses appeared in court-identified formally by their lawyers-and informed the bench that they had resolved all disputes. The couple tied the knot on 23 January 2023, but according to counsel, the relationship had broken down beyond repair. The joint application, handed over across the Bar, sought dissolution of marriage under Article 142, a constitutional provision that allows the Supreme Court to pass orders “to do complete justice.”
Court’s Observations
The judges seemed satisfied that the parties had genuinely settled their issues, not merely papered over them. One advocate summed it up quietly outside the courtroom, “They’ve had enough; now they just want peace.”
Inside, the bench appreciated the counsels’ efforts in facilitating reconciliation-not of the marriage, but of the terms of separation. As the order notes, “We appreciate the efforts… in helping them understand the benefits and advantages of amicable settlement.” The tone of the court suggested relief that the matter hadn’t escalated into a bitter, long-drawn fight.
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The bench also made it a point to remind both spouses that settlement terms aren’t mere niceties. “The bench observed, ‘You must follow the conditions without exception. Any breach can invite consequences, including contempt.’” The court even incorporated key paragraphs of the joint application into its final order, making the settlement legally binding.
Decision
Exercising its discretionary power under Article 142, the Supreme Court dissolved the marriage by mutual consent, declaring that the relationship had irretrievably broken down. All pending proceedings between the parties were ordered to be closed, including the divorce case in Ajmer. The court further clarified that once the respondent deposits the agreed settlement amount with the Supreme Court Registry-as mentioned in the joint application-the decree of divorce would be formally drawn.
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A direction was also issued to send copies of the order to the relevant lower courts so they can close all related matters without further hearing. Finally, after informing both sides about the consequences of violating the settlement, the bench disposed of the transfer petition and pending applications. With that, the case ended exactly where the parties wanted it to-at a legally final and mutually accepted separation.
Case Title: Madhuri Sarawagi vs. Ankit Goyal
Case No.: Transfer Petition (Civil) No. 290 of 2025
Case Type: Civil – Transfer Petition with Joint Application for Mutual Consent Divorce
Decision Date: 27 November 2025
