Harpreet Kaur v. Jasjeet Singh

1. Counsel for the parties confirm that the disputants have arrived at a settlement under the aegis of Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre [in short, “Centre”]. 1.[1] In this behalf, our attention has been drawn to the Settlement Agreement dated 26.09.2022 [in short, “SA”], which is annexed at pdf page 18 of the case file in CONT. CAS(C) 920/2023.

2. Although, concededly, the respondent-husband/Jasjeet Singh has Cont.Cas(C)No.920/2023 & MAT.APP.(F.C.)No.48/2024 delayed in paying lumpsum accrued amount of Rs. 7,25,000/-, it is not in dispute that the entire amount has been paid to the petitioner-wife/Harpreet Kaur.

3. One of terms of the SA is that although the petitioner-wife/Harpreet Kaur is agreeable to the divorce decree passed by the Family Court, allegations of cruelty in petition bearing HMA No. 544/2006 made by the respondent-husband/Jasjeet Singh shall stand withdrawn for all purposes.

4. Given this position, the contempt case and the appeal are disposed of with the following directions:

(i) The contempt is [i.e., CONT.CAS(C) 920/2023] is closed.

(ii) The respondent-husband/Jasjeet Singh will pay Rs. 20,000/- to the appellant-wife/Harpreet Kaur towards costs.

(iii) The judgment and decree of the trial court dated 15.05.2019 granting divorce is sustained. However, the finding returned by the family court on cruelty shall stand expunged.

(iv) The SA, in our view, is lawful, and is, accordingly, accepted.

5. At this stage, we note that the costs imposed i.e. Rs.20,000/- by this court has been paid in cash by the respondent-husband/Jasjeet Singh to the counsel for the appellant-wife/Harpreet Kaur in the court.

RAJIV SHAKDHER, J AMIT BANSAL, J FEBRUARY 7, 2024