Badri Mandal v. Lila Devi
Case brief
What is this about?
Patna High Court Miscellaneous Appeal No.604 of 2022 (decided 08-09-2025, Bibek Chauduri and Dr. Anshuman, JJ.). Divorce decree under S.13(1)(ia) Hindu Marriage Act granted during appellate chamber conciliation on cruelty grounds; appellant earlier acquitted in false S.498A IPC complaint (No. 638C of 2009). One-time permanent alimony fixed at Rs. 10 lakhs by consent, confirmed by affidavits, payable in two installments of Rs. 5 lakhs (three and six months); express liberty to respondent to re-open the case on default in payment. Appeal disposed of in terms of settlement, no costs. Relevant for settlement-based divorce decrees passed in matrimonial appeals and conditional enforcement of lump-sum alimony.
What did the court decide?
Appeal disposed of in terms of settlement: decree of divorce dissolving the marriage under S.13(1)(ia) Hindu Marriage Act; one-time permanent alimony of Rs. 10 lakhs payable by the appellant to the respondent as full and final settlement, in two equal installments of Rs. 5 lakhs each (first within three months, second within six months); respondent free to re-open the case on default; no order as to costs.