The Supreme Court has dissolved the marriage between an Indian Army officer and his doctor wife by invoking its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, holding that the relationship had “irretrievably broken down” after years of separation and litigation.
A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta directed the husband to pay ₹50 lakh as one-time permanent alimony while bringing all pending disputes between the parties to an end.
Background of the Case
The marriage between Salil Dhawan and Priyanshi Ghai was solemnised in April 2017 according to Hindu rites. The husband serves in the Indian Army, while the wife is a qualified dentist.
The relationship soon turned bitter. The wife moved out of the matrimonial home and accused the husband of adultery. Multiple proceedings followed, including complaints under the Domestic Violence Act, maintenance proceedings under Section 125 CrPC, and complaints before Army authorities.
In 2019, the parties entered into a settlement agreement during mediation. They agreed to seek divorce by mutual consent after payment of ₹31 lakh as permanent settlement. The husband paid ₹20 lakh in two instalments. However, the second motion for divorce was never filed, and the settlement eventually collapsed.
The Family Court later closed the mutual consent divorce proceedings after the statutory period expired. The Allahabad High Court upheld that order, observing that the wife had withdrawn her consent for mutual divorce at the second motion stage.
Before the Supreme Court, the husband sought dissolution of marriage under Article 142 of the Constitution, arguing that there was no possibility of reconciliation. The wife opposed the plea and stated that she intended to pursue divorce proceedings on the ground of adultery.
After interacting with both parties, the Bench concluded that the marriage existed “only on paper.”
“The marriage between the parties has irretrievably broken down and there is no possibility of reconciliation whatsoever,” the Bench observed.
The Court noted that the parties had been living separately for over eight years and had initiated several civil and criminal proceedings against each other. Continuing such a marriage, the Court said, would “serve no legitimate purpose.”
While considering permanent alimony, the Court noted that the wife had already returned the ₹20 lakh earlier paid under the failed settlement agreement.
The Bench ultimately enhanced the settlement amount and fixed ₹50 lakh as full and final permanent alimony after considering the parties’ earning capacity, standard of living, duration of marriage, years of separation, and future financial security of the wife.
The Court directed the husband to pay the amount in two equal instalments by June 15, 2026 and September 15, 2026.
It further ordered closure of all pending proceedings between the parties, including domestic violence, maintenance, and contempt cases.
Case Details
Case Title: Salil Dhawan v. Priyanshi Ghai
Case Number: Civil Appeal arising out of SLP (C) No. 971 of 2025
Judges: Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta
Decision Date: May 27, 2026
