Date: July 30, 2025
In a significant ruling on July 29, 2025, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by Radheshyam Prasad, challenging the Patna High Court’s decision that granted divorce to his estranged wife, Suman Singh, on grounds of irretrievable breakdown of marriage.
The marital dispute between the parties has spanned over two decades. Originally, in 2013, Suman Singh had filed a matrimonial suit (MTS Case No. 7/2013) before the Family Court in Gaya seeking divorce on the grounds of cruelty and desertion. However, her plea was dismissed on April 18, 2018, by the learned Principal Judge of the Family Court with costs.
Aggrieved by the dismissal, Suman Singh approached the Patna High Court through a Miscellaneous Appeal (MA No. 624/2018). The High Court, taking into account the prolonged separation of over sixteen years and the evident breakdown of the marriage, granted a decree of divorce.
Radheshyam Prasad, dissatisfied with the High Court’s ruling, moved the Supreme Court via a Special Leave Petition (SLP No. 18931/2025), hoping to overturn the divorce decree.
A bench comprising Hon’ble Mr. Justice Vikram Nath and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sandeep Mehta refused to interfere with the High Court’s findings. The apex court noted:
“We do not find any good ground to entertain this petition. Although, the High Court has granted decree of divorce on the finding that there is irretrievable breakdown of marriage as the parties are living separately for the last sixteen years, we find the reason given by the High Court is correct. We are, therefore, not inclined to interfere with the impugned order.”
The SLP was accordingly dismissed. Any pending applications also stood disposed of.
• During earlier proceedings, it was observed that Suman Singh is employed as a contractual teacher while Radheshyam Prasad remains unemployed.
• Despite a long history of separation, the husband had shown interest in reuniting with his wife.
• However, Suman Singh categorically expressed her unwillingness to join her husband, emphasizing that she had no financial demands from him and intended to solely take care of their son.
• The matter was therefore adjudicated purely on the merits of sustained separation and breakdown of the marital relationship.
This ruling reiterates the judiciary’s evolving approach towards recognizing irretrievable breakdown of marriage as a valid ground for divorce, even in the absence of statutory inclusion under the Hindu Marriage Act. The verdict also underscores the importance of consent and individual autonomy, especially in matrimonial matters where emotional and psychological incompatibility is evident over a prolonged period.
Case Title & Citation
Case Title: Radheshyam Prasad vs Suman Singh
Supreme Court SLP (C) No. 18931/2025
