Supreme Court increases permanent alimony to ₹50 lakh in the 2025 matrimonial judgment between Sonia Virk and Rohit Vats.
CASE SUMMARY – This Supreme Court judgment concerns a matrimonial dispute between Sonia Virk and Rohit Vats. Married in 2008, the parties have lived separately since 2012 and share a daughter. Multiple divorce petitions were filed by the husband. The Family Court rejected the cruelty claim, but the High Court granted divorce and awarded ₹30 lakh alimony. The Supreme Court affirmed that the marriage had irretrievably broken down, noting prolonged separation and failed reconciliation. Recognising the husband’s responsibility as a judicial officer and the wife’s lack of income, the Court enhanced permanent alimony to ₹50 lakh while upholding other financial directions to secure the daughter’s future.
SC ENHANCES ALIMONY TO ₹50 LAKH IN SONIA VIRK – ROHIT VATS DIVORCE CASE
| ASPECTS | DETAILS |
| Case Title | Sonia Virk vs. Rohit Vats |
| Introduction | Appeal against Punjab & Haryana High Court judgment granting divorce and awarding alimony. Supreme Court re-examines marital breakdown, cruelty allegations, and financial relief. |
| Factual Background | Marriage solemnised on 6 Dec 2008; couple living separately since 2012; one daughter (born 13 Nov 2009); husband filed multiple divorce petitions; Family Court dismissed cruelty claim; High Court granted divorce and fixed alimony. |
| Legal Issues |
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| Applicable Law |
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| Analysis | Supreme Court finds 13+ years of separation, bitterness, failed reconciliation attempts, and irretrievable breakdown. Wife requires adequate financial protection; husband (judicial officer) has higher duty of fairness. |
| Conclusion | Divorce decree upheld. Permanent alimony enhanced from ₹30,00,000 to ₹50,00,000. All other High Court directions (LIC maturity deposit, monthly maintenance, marriage expenses, non-disinheritance) upheld. |
| Current Scenario | As of Dec 2025: Marriage dissolved; alimony enhanced; all pending civil/criminal proceedings between parties deemed closed; child’s financial security protected. |
“A marriage that has lost all substance serves neither the spouses nor their child; dissolution becomes necessary for justice and dignity.”
SOURCE – SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
READ ALSO – Section 13(1)(ia), Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (cruelty)
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