The Supreme Court on Friday (31 July) brought an end to the long-running matrimonial dispute between Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his estranged wife Payal Abdullah, after recording that both parties had amicably resolved all their disputes through mediation. The Court disposed of the proceedings after the couple jointly sought dissolution of their marriage under Article 142 of the Constitution.
A Bench of Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe accepted the settlement and passed orders accordingly.
Background of the Case
Omar Abdullah and Payal Abdullah were married on September 1, 1994, and had been living separately since 2009. Omar's divorce petition before the Family Court was dismissed in August 2016 after the court found that he had failed to establish grounds such as cruelty, desertion, or an irretrievable breakdown of marriage.
The Delhi High Court later upheld that decision in December 2023, following which Omar Abdullah approached the Supreme Court through SLP(C) No. 7427/2024.
In August 2024, the Supreme Court referred the matter to mediation after both sides agreed to explore a negotiated settlement.
Court Observation
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Omar Abdullah, informed the Bench that the parties had settled all pending disputes.
"Both of them have embraced freedom. It's all settled. Lordships may grant divorce. All other matters will be withdrawn," Sibal submitted.
Taking note of the settlement, the Bench observed:
"That's good. We will dispose of it on those terms."
The Court was also informed that the parties had filed a joint application under Article 142 of the Constitution seeking dissolution of the marriage by mutual consent and had agreed to withdraw all pending proceedings against each other.
Decision
Accepting the settlement reached through mediation, the Supreme Court disposed of the matrimonial proceedings and granted divorce to Omar Abdullah and Payal Abdullah under Article 142 of the Constitution, recording that all disputes between the parties had been amicably resolved.
Case Details
Case Title: Omar Abdullah v. Payal Abdullah
Case Number: SLP(C) No. 7427/2024
Judge: Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe
Decision Date: July 31, 2026
