SRINAGAR: The Supreme Court has directed Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his estranged wife Payal Abdullah to sit together and make a final effort to resolve their long-pending marital dispute.
A bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and K Vinod Chandran passed the order on April 15 while hearing Omar Abdullah’s appeal in a divorce case. The court noted that earlier mediation efforts had failed but urged the couple to attempt reconciliation once more, setting a three-week period for the same.
The matter is now listed for further hearing on May 7.
The couple, who have been living separately for over 15 years, announced their separation in 2011. Omar’s plea for divorce was dismissed by a Delhi family court in 2016. The Delhi High Court upheld that decision in December 2023, stating that his allegations of cruelty were vague and lacked evidence.
Earlier, the High Court directed Omar to pay Rs 1.5 lakh per month to Payal as maintenance, along with Rs 60,000 per month each for their two sons. The Supreme Court had sought a response from Payal on Omar’s challenge to the High Court’s ruling.
The apex court’s latest direction comes as a final attempt at amicable settlement before it proceeds with a decision on the pending appeal.
